Russula cascadensis  Shaffer (1964)                                          *Collection: Oregon, Crater Lake

This medium sized Russula mimics  Russula brevipes quite well. The key to identification are the unusually small and dacriform spores. Those who habitually taste their Russula collection would notice that this one is significantly hotter than brevipes. This species tends to attach to buried wood debris habit like a couple of other Russulas from the Pacific Northwest. I have never seen this species in "mainland California", although that it is listed. I believe that it exists in the Northen most areas where Spruce and Hemlock are abundant.

Those gills are sweating for a reason -- this one is hot...  Spores: dacriform, 7-9 x 4-4.5µ