Suillus variegatus, also known as the variegated bolete or velvet bolete is a tall-stemmed and fleshy bolete that rarely exhibits the sliminess that is characteristic of the genus suillus. It typically grows in coniferous forests, often forming symbiotic mycorrhizal relationships with the roots of pine trees (Pinus spp.) and occasionally with other coniferous trees like spruce (Picea spp.) and fir (Abies spp.).

Cap sandy to rusty brown coloured. At first ovate and then convex. The skin can be removed. It has a freckly, downy surface in dry weather. The flesh is pallid ochraceous and turns blue when cut and thumbed. Pores at first ochraceous with olivaceous tinge, becoming more cinnamon-brown with age, sometimes bluish where bruised. Tubes are dark ochraceous or buff, adnate. Stem smooth and firm. Mottled yellow to a brown-yellow and thicker at the base. The stem has no ring. Spore print ochre or sienna-brown.

Microscopic Features: The spores are elongated and smooth, measuring 8-11μm in length and 3-4μm in width.

Note: Suillus tomentosus in North America is virtually identical to the European species Suillus variegatus but has glandular dots on the stem.

Suillus variegatus on the first-nature.com Web site.
Suillus tomentosus on the MushroomExpert.Com Web site.