It was first described as Boletus mesentericus by Jacob Christian Schäffer in 1774.

[4] The species grows at the base of conifers, developing from a sclerotium.

The caps are tomentose with brownish zones, fan-shaped, often overlapping and growing from a shared base.

The flesh is whitish with a pleasant odour when fresh.

The species affects tree bases and roots with a white rot.