Red Cracking Bolete - Boletus chrysenteron

Cap 3-8cm, brown and velvety when young but soon cracking to reveal a thin layer of red flesh below the cap skin. The stem is red-streaked on the lower half and yellow towards the cap. Very little, if any, blueing in stem flesh when cut.

Xerocomus cisalpinis is very similar but has strong blueing in stem flesh when cut, and the stem surface also shows blue when scratched. Additionally, Xerocomus cisalpinis grows exclusively with Oak whereas Xerocomus chrysenteron is found with conifers or Beech.

Usually confined to conifer woods and sometimes with Beech. It is thought not to grow with Oak.

Usually August to November, but sometimes earlier.

Widespread and fairly common in Britain.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.