Russula paludosa

Russula paludosa Britzelm. (illustrated 55% life size) Cap 4–14cm across, convex, later flattening and with a depression; red, blood-red, scarlet-red, bay, apricot or ochre, sometimes with paler areas; fleshy, firm, slightly sticky when moist; half to three-quarters peeling. Stem 40–150×10–32mm, cylindrical, narrow club-shaped or swollen in the middle; white or tinged pink in part or entirely. Flesh white; taste mild. Gills adnexed, connected by veins at their bases; rather pale creamy golden-yellow. Spores 8–10.5×7–8µ, ovate or elliptical; warts up to 0.7–1.2µ high, joined by lines to form a somewhat incomplete network. Spore print deep cream (E–F). Cap cystidia sparse, cylindrical, without septa, with a few granules staining in fuchsin, moderately reacting to SV. Habitat with conifers; early summer to early autumn. Occasional in Scotland, rare elsewhere. Edible.