High Sierra -- August 26, 2006

Some of the species encountered. Most collections in elevations 8,000-10,000 ft (2,400-3,000m). Mainly under Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta spp. murrayana), An assortment of other conifers present as well.

    Amanita muscaria var. formosa

    Boletus barrowsii

    Boletus edulis     In  all forms and shapes. I am still looking to see if something might be different, but in CA the choices are not many.

    Boletus sp. Might be a variation of B. edulis. Not many other choices.

    Cortinarius sp. KOH: dark red (pileus)

    Cortinarius mucosus

    Gastroboletus turbinatus

    Gymnopilus sp. Spores 8-9 x 5-6µ    Looks like  G. penetrans, but most likely G. spectabilis despite the small size. Need to review what's out here in No. Am. It's neither G. sapineus, nor G. luteofolius...

    Inocybe mixtilis   Spores ~8-9.5 x 6-6.5 µ, nodulose Hymenial cystidia. I. napipes is similar.

    Russula albidula

    Russula mustelina    In a California Red Fir (Abies magnifica) grove (7,500 ft). The Abies affinity is described by Thiers.        Broken to more extensive reticulum visible.

    Russula paludosa   In a moss covered bog, just as originally described (9500 ft). Taste: latently and mildly bitterish (an immediate distinction from the R. xerampelina complex).

    Russula rhodopoda    The combination of abundant lamellulae (leaving very few choices within the reddish Russulas), spores with low warts, but with intricate connecting lines, and latent, moderately acrid taste establish R. rhodopoda pretty well.     I saw this apple colored Russula last Fall in the Sierra Nevada and spent time looking through pictures trying to make sense of it. Glad to see it again.

    Russula sp.   

    Russula xerampelina     The larges cream blotches on the disk were too much for my color tolerance regarding R. xerampelina, but after a careful inspection that Id stood the test. Isolated warts with few connecting ridges/spines.  

    Coltricia  perennis

    Suillus tomentosus

    Tricholoma intermedium    At first sight I thought of a browning T. flavovirens (the pictures do not do justice of the yellowish spots), except for the bitterish/astringent taste with mildly farinaceous odor. The spores were up to 9.5μ long -- per Shanks, this is typical for Sierra specimens.

    Xerocomus chrysenteron    Didn't see a reference to the reddish tinges of the pore surface in the second collection. Still, no better id choice.