This bolete has been found in Japan and its type locality near the town of Estrella in the northern Talamancas. Unfortunately, that locality is in danger of disappearing due to encroaching land development. Tylopilus alkalixanthus can be distinguished by its ochraceous basidiocarp with yellowish undertones, its mild taste, a context that is unchanging or changing to light pinkish, and the presence of scattered helical wall thickenings of the hymenophoral trama (below). The entire context of T. alkalixanthus gives a distinctive reaction in KOH by releasing a lemon-yellow pigment.