Russula zvarae

Russula zvarae Velen. (illustrated 65% life size) Cap 5–7cm across, convex; deep red, fading or washing lighter in wet weather; fleshy; hardly peeling. Stem 40–75×1–20mm, equal or narrower at the base; white, flushed rose or pink. Flesh white, pink with the cuticle; thick, firm but not hard; taste mild, smell pleasant, slightly fruity. Gills, strongly interveined; milky-white. Spores 6.5–9×5.5–6.5µ, ovate; warts low, to 0.5µ high, connectives irregular, not forming a reticulum. Spore print whitish (B). Habitat with mixed woods; summer to autumn. Very rare. Unknown edibility. Note photographed by Geoffrey Kibby.