[2] The bolete is considered critically endangered in the Czech Republic[3] and endangered in the United Kingdom, reported most commonly from Berkshire and Hampshire, and typically very rare throughout, although up to a hundred fruiting bodies have been recorded at a few sites.

This bolete was found to be a rare colour morph of I. rhodopurpureus based on DNA studies [5] [6] The oldrose bolete is very rare in the UK, typically favouring old open woodland or parkland with plenty of sunlight on neutral soils, reported mainly from the south of England such as parts of the New Forest and Windsor Great Park.

In the warmest regions of central and southern Europe the blood red-capped Rubroboletus dupainii.

It has also been regularly confused with the poisonous bilious bolete, Rubroboletus legaliae, from which it is distinguished by a much stronger bluing response when cut and handled.

[7] The combination of being extremely uncommon and a confusion risk with the even more poisonous Rubroboletus genus makes this species one to avoid collecting for food.