Identification of Boletes With a little experience a few of the common boletes can be recognized on sight. A number of characteristics are used to make identifications in this group. Shape, size and colour are always important. Also, chewing a tiny morsel establishes whether it is bitter or not. Pore size, shape, and depth are important features and whether or not the pores are in rows or radially arranged can help.
Location is an additional aid.
It also helps to know the colour of the spores en masse . This information is obtained from a spore print. To make a spore print, cut the cap off a mature bolete and place it on a sheet of white paper. Cover with a cup or bowl and leave overnight. The colour will vary according to the thickness and freshness of the print.