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Common lookalikes
Dangerous or inedible doubles of popular edibles — for comparison, not for eating decisions.
Porcini or bitter bolete?
The bitter bolete (Tylopilus felleus) grows with porcini but is inedibly bitter. A tiny taste of tube tissue (then spit) separates them — never eat a whole cap to “check”.
Chanterelle or false chanterelle?
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca has true gills; chanterelles have ridges. The false chanterelle is poor to mildly toxic — keep it out of the pan.
Porcini or Satan’s bolete?
Rubroboletus satanas can cause serious stomach poisoning. Red stem and blue-bruising flesh are warnings porcini lack.
Parasol or death cap?
Amanita phalloides is deadly. Parasols have a movable ring and scaly cap — death caps have a volva (sac) at the stem base.