Russula basifurcata Peck
Ann. Rept. NY State Mus. 39:90 1885.

Common Name: none

• Pileus

  Cap 4-7 cm broad, convex, expanding to nearly plane, the disc frequently slightly depressed; margin decurved, inconspicuously striate or not all, plane to occasionally upturned in age; surface smooth, sticky when moist, otherwise dry, white to cream-colored with pinkish tinges, or when young, the colors sometimes reversed, pink tones masking a cream background; flesh white, firm, thin at the margin, moderately thick at the disc, unchanging when injured; odor and taste mild.

• Lamellae

  Gills adnate to adnexed, close, moderately broad, tending to branch near the stipe, sometimes intervenose or anastomosing, cream-colored, pale-yellowish in age.

• Stipe

  Stipe 3-7 cm long, 1-3 cm thick, solid, equal to tapering an enlarged base; surface smooth or faintly wrinkled, white to tinged pinkish; flesh white, unchanging when cut; veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 7.0-9.5 x 6.5-8 µm, subglobose; amyloid ornamentation consisting of short spines and lines, forming a partial to complete reticulum; spore print yellow.

• Habitat

  Scattered to gregarious in mixed hardwood/conifer woods; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Unknown.

• Comments

  Russula basifurcata is characterized by a cream-colored cap, typically infused with pinkish tones and pale-yellowish gills that often branch near their attachment point with the stipe. The lack of a striate cap margin, mild taste and odor plus a yellowish spore print also help to identify this Russula. We have found it commonly under coast liveoak (Quercus agrifolia).

• References

  Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
  Hesler, L.R. (1960). A Study of Russula Types. Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club 21(2): 1-59.
  Peck, C.H. (1885). Report of the State Botanist 1884. Ann. Rep. NY State Mus. 38: 77-138. (Protologue)
  Shaffer, R.L. (1970). Notes on the subsection Crassotunicatinae and other species of Russula. Lloydia 33(1): 49-96.
  Thiers, H.D. (1997). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 9. Russulaceae I. Russula. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 158 p.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  Main Photo
  • Fred Stevens: Russula basifurcata (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Russula basifurcata (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Russula basifurcata (CP) — gill closeup
  • Mushroom Observer: Russula basifurcata (CP)
  • Bob Summers: Russula basifurcata (CP)
  • Thiers (1997): p. 68 (D), plate VIII, fig 44 (I)
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)