One of our most commonly found members of the Bolete family and one that is relatively easy to identify.  Although it is not considered the most flavoursome of wild mushrooms it does have a pleasant taste and makes a great addition to any mixed mushroom dish.

Key identification features:-

• Domed, bun-like cap (8-15cm) which is chestnut brown and shiny when wet
• Creamy-yellow spores under the cap that bruise blue rapidly upon brushing (see top photo) - this is a very useful identification feature
• Creamy coloured flesh
• Cylindrical stem (5-10cm) that is yellow at the top then changes quickly to a fibrous foxy brown colour further down the stem (see top photo)
• Fruits in autumn in mixed woodland, very often found with silver birch and pine trees

Similar species 

• Red cracked bolete (Boletus chrysenteron) - skin on the cap splits and cracks to reveal pink edged yellow flesh beneath, not much flavour but it is edible