 Its fruit body, the mushroom, is classed as medium or large in size, which helps distinguish it from the many similar appearing species that have a smaller stature.A deep blue/indigo bruising of the pore surface and a less dramatic bruising coloration change in the stem over a period of several minutes are identifying characteristics that distinguish it from the similar poisonous species "Boletus sensibilis".There are two variations of this species, variety "borealis" and variety "subreticulatus", and several other similar species of fungi are not poisonous.