Russula torulosa

Russula torulosa Bres. (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 3–7.5cm across, convex; fleshy, firm, purple-violet to reddish-purple; hardly peeling. Stem 30–60×8–18mm, equal; a lovely purple-violet. Flesh white with purple near the cuticle; thick, firm; taste slightly bitter, smell pleasant, slightly fruity, of apple. Gills rather close; white. Spores 7–8.5×5.5–7µ, ovate; warts low, 5µ high, connectives irregular and not forming a reticulum. Spore print clear light ochre (E–F). Habitat with conifers; late summer to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.