Leccinum aurantiacum, also known as Orange Oak Bolete, is a large or massive bolete with a bun-shaped reddish-orange fleshy cap, whitish pores, and a scaly stem. When cut the flesh turns pink and then black. It typically grows solitary or in small scattered groups on soil, specifically under aspen trees.

Cap bright orange skin, at first round like a ball, then ovate or bun-shaped. It is sticky when damp and has, just like Leccinum versipelle, a larger skin that hangs down or is tucked under the margin of the cap. Flesh creamy-white then vinaceous or sepia were cut. Thick and firm. Pores white or cream, darkening vinaceous where bruised, circular. very small. Stem dirty white, covered with woolly scales in an irregular network, at first white then rust, stoutish, more or less equal or swollen towards the base. The stem has no ring. Spore print ochraceous-buff.

Microscopic Features: The spores are narrowly ellipsoidal to fusiform, measuring approximately 12.5-18.5 x 3.5-6µm.

Note: Leccinum aurantiacum recorded in North America may not be the same species as its European namesake.

Leccinum aurantiacum on the www.first-nature.com web site.