About Rubroboletus legaliae (Pilát & Dermek) Della Magg. & Trassin.
The cap of Rubroboletus legaliae begins as off-white, or coffee-coloured when young in its button stage. As it matures into mid-growth, it often—but not always—pales to mouse grey. When the fungus reaches old age, the cap becomes reddish, a colour that has also been described as 'old rose'. Mature caps can grow up to 14 cm (5.5 in) in diameter.
The stipe is stocky: it has an orange base colour at the apex, covered with fine narrow red net-like reticulation. This orange base colour fades gradually toward the stipe's midsection, which makes the red reticulation more distinct. The base of the stipe has no reticulation, and the stipe becomes dark vinaceous there. Occasionally, stipe patterning details can be faint, or completely obscured if the stipe is covered by earth or leaf litter.
The pores start out red, and develop an overall orange colour when mature. When bruised, the pores turn blue. The flesh turns pale blue when cut, except for the stipe base, which remains dark vinaceous. This blue colour change is often very slow, sometimes taking a minute or more to become visible as a light blue; in other cases, the change is nearly instant. The flesh is reported to have an odour similar to chicory.
