Boletus edulis Bull. ex Fr. Steinpilz Cèpe de Bordeaux, Bolet comestible, Champignon polonais, King Bolete, Porcini, Cep or Penny Bun Cap 8–20(30)cm, brown often with a whitish bloom at first gradually lost on expanding leaving a white line at the margin, smooth and dry initially becoming greasy, in wet weather slightly viscid and polished. Stem 30–230 x 30–70(110)mm, robust, pallid with white net. Flesh white, unchanging, flushed dirty straw-colour or vinaceous in cap. Taste and smell pleasant. Tubes white becoming grey-yellow. Pores small and round, similarly coloured. Spore print olivaceous snuff-brown. Spores subfusiform, 14–17 x 4.5–5.5µ. Habitat coniferous, broad-leaved or mixed woodland. Season summer to late autumn. Common. Edible – excellent. Distribution, America and Europe. This fungus is perhaps the most important edible species, it can often be found on sale in continental markets. Commercially it is dried and used as flavouring for soups.
Comment Var. aurantio-ruber Dick & Snell differs in its ferruginous-red cap, and pores staining yellow-olive when bruised.