Abstract
A new edible species, Rubroboletus esculentus, is described from southwestern China based on both morphological characters and molecular evidence. Morphologically, this species is characterized by its vivid red and shiny pileus, fresh yellow context, orange-red to brownish yellow granulose on the yellow background of the stipe, a bluish color change, an interwoven trichodermal pileipellis embedded in a gelatinized matrix, smooth spores, a distribution in a Quercus semecarpifolia forest and a fragrant odor. Our phylogenetic analyses based on five gene markers (ITS, nrLSU, tef1-α, rpb1 and rpb2) proved it to be a new independent taxon, which was distinct from the known Rubroboletus species. Its morphological illustrations and descriptions are provided.