Key characteristics for identifying king boletes include
1) a club-shaped base
2) reticulated stem
3) little to no bruising of cut or damaged tissue
4) light pores yellowing with age
5) cap dry to slightly viscid
6) cap colored light brown to tan
7) mild taste, not bitter or peppery
Try the Bolete Finder
Identify Pacific Northwest boletes with our step-by-step guide. Answer questions about cap color, pore characteristics, and staining reactions to narrow down your find.
King boletes do not have
Sticky, slimy caps like the Jacks – Suillus
Black crumbs or scabers on the stem – Leccinum
Red pores – Rubroboletus pucherrimus
Bitter taste with blue-bruising – Caloboletus
Peppery taste – Calciporus
Furry, suede-like cap texture – Admirable bolete
Bumpy brown to dark purple cap – Zeller’s Bolete
Bright red stem