Leccinum versipelle

Cap	This is a very large mushroom, and caps mature at between 8 and 20 cm diameter. A distinguishing feature of this bolete is the fact that the cuticle overhangs the cap margin slightly. Beneath the cuticle, the flesh of the cap is firm and white; it does not change colour when a cut surface is exposed to air.
Tubes and Pores	The mouse-grey tubes terminate in small pores that turn ochraceous with age. Visible in this picture is another distinguishing feature of this bolete: the cuticle often has a ragged edge.
Stipe	The stipe, which can be up to 20 cm tall and is typically 2 to 4 cm in diameter, tapering in slightly towards the apex, has a pale grey surface covered with dark brown woolly scales. When cut, the pale stem flesh turns blue-green and then almost black, especially near the base.
Spore print	Ochraceous-brown.
Odour/taste	Not distinctive.
Habitat	Beneath birch on heathland and scrub.
Season	July to September.
Occurrence	Fairly common.
Similar species	Leccinum scabrum, which also occurs under birch, has a brown cap; its stem flesh does not display a marked colour change when it is cut.