About Hygrophorus russula (Schaeff. ex Fr.) Kauffman
Mushroom cap of Hygrophorus russula starts hemispherical and flattens with age, while its margin stays inrolled. The cap reaches 5โ12 cm (2โ4+3โ4 in) in diameter, with a base color of white or pink marked by streaks of pink, wine-red or purple. The cap surface is sticky when young. The firm flesh is pink or white, with a mild scent and mild flavor. Its crowded gills are decurrent: white when young, they develop pink and wine-red discoloration stains as they age. The stipe is 2โ10 cm (3โ4โ4 in) high and 1.5โ3.5 cm (1โ2โ1+1โ2 in) wide. This species produces a white spore print; under a microscope, its smooth oval spores measure 6โ8 by 3โ5 ฮผm. It is native to Europe, Russia, North America, Japan and Korea. In eastern North America, it appears under oak from August to October, and fruits later on the West Coast. It is more common in the east of North America than the west. Fruit bodies can be abundant some years, especially after rainfall, and sometimes grow in arcs or fairy rings. This mushroom is edible, but sources differ on its quality.
