One of the most striking boletes found in eastern North America. Its cap is a deep, glossy red, sometimes with darker patches, and has a sticky surface when fresh. The stem is also bright red, often covered in a fine netlike pattern near the top. Underneath, the pore surface is yellow, bruising quickly to blue when touched. The flesh is yellow and also stains blue when cut.

This mushroom grows in summer and fall, usually beneath hardwoods like oak, beech, and hemlock in moist forests. It forms mycorrhizal partnerships with trees, helping exchange nutrients through their roots. Though regarded as edible, its bold colors closely resemble some poisonous red-stemmed boletes, making it a risky choice for foraging.