 When fresh the coloration of the cap varies from a rose red, red, rose pink, dark red, and purple red.With age it changes to a cinnamon red or a rusty rose color, with yellowing toward the margin.The pore surface is similar to that of the main species–yellow when fresh and with age changing to a dull ochre yellow; the bruising coloration is blue but is much lighter and sometimes not appearing to stain when bruised at all.