Russula

Russula

Russula aeruginea *Northern Hemisphere more

Russula albidula (California) Abundant under Quercus agrifolia (Coastal Live Oak).
Spores: 6.5-10x5.8-7µ

Russula albonigra

Russula amoenolens (California) Abundant under oaks and pines. It features a distinct peppery smell and a taste to match...

Russula atropurpurea (=R. krombholtzii) (Europe)

Russula aurea (Europe)

Russula bicolor (Vancouver BC)

Russula brevipes var. acrior (Sierra Nevada) In the Sierra Nevada mountains this seems to be the most common species pushing lumps under the duff layer.

Russula brevipes var. megaspora (California, Marin County)

Russula californiensis (California coastal forests)

Russula carpini (Europe) Under Carpinus sp.

Russula cascadensis (Pacific Northwest) A smaller version of Russula brevipes. Similarly, the spores are also smaller and rather dacriform.

Russula cessans (California, common under pines) [In-depth]

Russula chloroides (Europe) The European equivalent of R. brevipes v. acrior (Western US). They may be the same species.

Russula cremoricolor (California) Shown to be DNA equivalent to Russula silvicola (below).

Russula curtipes (Europe)

Russula cyanoxantha (European collections)

Russula cyanoxantha var. cutefracta (Colorado Rockies) Low warts with scattered short connectives, rarely networked.

Russula decolorans (Colorado Rockies) DNA evidence suggests that the American species by that name is far removed from the European material (Steve Miller, pers. comm.)
Spores:

Russula delica (Europe)

Russula densifolia (California) [more]

Russula dissimulans [more]

Russula emetica var. sylvestris (Sierra Nevada) R. emetica is listed as not known from California, but this collection fits the description perfectly, down to the exact habitat. R. silvicola is mentioned as the locally misapplied name for R. emetica, but I am familiar with the former and this is certainly not it. I have preserved the dried material. Pileipellis and septate pileocystidia Spores with isolated warts (up to 1.3μ) and very few, if any connectives Basidia and cheilocystidia

Russula foetens var. foetens & subfoetens (Bulgaria)

Russula fragilis
(Bulgarian collections)

Russula fragrantissima (California coastal forests)

Russula galochroa (Europe, Mediterranean region) Black Sea coastal forest, under Quercus cerris

Russula graveolens

Russula heterophylla (European collections) Bulgaria (under Oak -- Quercus cerris and Q. petrea)

Russula heterophylla (California collections)

Russula integra (European collection) Under Picea abies & Pinus peuce

Russula mairei (Europe)

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 nigricans

Russula olivacea* (California) [more]

Russula olivacea (European collections)

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 pelargonia [more]

Russula placita (California -- abundant under Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) ) Had the rare luxury to observe the same patch over a period of time -- there is a significant variation to the different hues on the pileus. They very anywhere from deep violet to red, discoloring to greenish or brown... One more proof why it should be avoided trying to identify/describe Russula based on limited material. Gertrude Burlingham's original description is excellent.

Russula postiana (=R. olivascens) (Europe)

Russula raoultii This collection under Betula sp.

Russula romellii (Europe)

Russula rosea (sensu Thiers) California.

Russula sanguinaria The most common Russula locally. Appears in great numbers under various Pinus.

The pigmentation can be highly variable -- one more example of why it can be frustrating to try to identify Russula's based on a single fruitbody...

Spores -- there are slightly differing accounts on ornamentation, probably because it is variable too. My findings tend to show more disconnected short ridges, rather than isolated warts.