Suillus are commonly referred to as boletes, which is a term used to describe pored terrestrial mushrooms found in many areas. However, Suillus is not just any ordinary bolete - it is a unique genus that has its own family called Suillaceae. Despite this distinction, Suillus does share quite a few similarities with the mushrooms in the Boletus genus. One of the most notable similarities between Suillus and Boletus mushrooms is their overall stature. Both genera have a distinctive shape that is easily recognizable - a bulbous cap on top of a thick stem. However, Suillus mushrooms tend to have a more slimy or sticky cap than Boletus mushrooms. Another shared characteristic between Suillus and Boletus mushrooms is the presence of pores instead of gills. Suillus and Boletus mushrooms also share a similar habitat. They are both commonly found growing in forests, particularly in association with trees such as oaks, pines, and spruces. This shared environment is likely due to the fact that both genera have a symbiotic relationship with these trees, meaning they help each other grow and thrive. The differences are also many --- Suillus species almost always have a slimy cap (with the exception of the painted bolete and a few more), grow profusely, in much larger groupings than boletes and with wider ranges, and have different pore shapes.