The mushroom forms a mycorrhizal relationship with pine and occurs in North America and Eurasia.

The stem is ochre, more yellow towards the top, and may be flushed with rust at the base.

[3] It has strong antioxidant properties,[4][5] and a nonspecific inhibitory effect on cytochrome P450 enzymes.

[6] When mushroom tissue containing variegatic acid is exposed to air, the chemical is enzymatically oxidized to blue quinone methide anions.

[7] Suillus variegatus appears frequently with, and is mycorrhizal with two needle pine trees in late summer.