 "T. neofelleus", limited in distribution to deciduous forests of China, New Guinea, Japan, and Taiwan, can be distinguished from "T. felleus" macroscopically by its vinaceous-brown cap and pinkish-brown to vinaceous stalk, and microscopically by its smaller spores (measuring 11–14 by 4–5 μm) and longer pleurocystidia (49–107 by 14–24 μm).Like all "Tylopilus" species, "T. felleus" is mycorrhizal.It is found in deciduous and coniferous woodland, often under beech and oak in well-drained acid soils, which can be sandy, gravelly or peaty.