A small bolete with a dry, felty cap surface.  Cap colour is very variable, including pale to dark brown, tawny, yellowish-brown or reddish-brown or with olive tints.   The pores are coarse and yellow, slightly blueing when bruised.  The flesh is pale yellow, flushed pinkish-brown at the stem base (seen when the stem is cut through vertically) and may be slightly blueing in the cap when cut and bruised.  Stem is yellow, with fine brown or reddish scales or dots, sometimes net-like.  The mycelium threads are white.   

other Xerocomus.  Identification is difficult and the species have been confused in the past.  Refer to Kibby (2017) for more information.

Photograph a fresh specimen from top down and in side view, and underneath to show pores and full length of stipe.  Note habitat and substrate. Check for staining or flesh colour on cap, pores and stem base when cut and then bruised.  We recommend that your record is confirmed from a specimen by an expert before submission to NatureSpot. 

Under deciduous trees, typically oak, beech or birch

August to October.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.