Old Man of the Woods is quite common bolete found in Southern Ontario. Some years it can be really prolific. I usually find it in the similar habitats as Retiboletus ornatipes. It is easy to identify and as far as I know has only one look alike – Strobilomyces confusus (Confusing Bolete). This one is much rarer and has more of the pyramidal growth on the cap.
Since both are edible, for all practical purposes they both can be picked and consumed safely.
Main characteristics:
- medium size with characteristic dark gray colored cap covered with black scales
- pores are white, turning gray as mushroom matures; stain slowly red turning black
- stalks are elongated and of uniform width, with shaggy appearance, colored as cap
- flesh is white, slowly staining red and finally black
- spore print is black
In literature it is listed as edible but at best of mediocre quality. I beg to differ. It dries well and is part of my soup mix. The taste is quite good. The key is to pick them young while pore surface is still white.