Russula silvicola Shaffer
Nova Hedwigia 51: 229-234. 1975.

Common Name: none

Misapplied name: Russula emetica

• Pileus

  Cap 4-9 (13) cm broad, convex to plano-convex, maturing to plano-convex to plane to depressed on the disc; surface smooth, subviscid to viscid; color dark rose red to bright red to rose pink, fading to pink or rose pink, often with yellowish blotches; flesh white, unchanging in color when exposed, brittle; odor mild, taste very acrid.

• Lamellae

  Gills adnate to adnexed, white, close to subdistant.

• Stipe

  Stipe 4-10 cm long, 1-3 cm thick, equal or tapering toward the apex or base; surface dry, glabrous, white; stuffed; flesh white, brittle.

• Spores

  Spores 6.7-10.5 x 5.7-8.6 µm, subovoid to subellipsoid with amyloid ornamentation of warts and ridges forming a partial to near complete reticulum. Spore print white.

• Habitat

  Solitary to scattered to gregarious in hardwood and conifer hardwood forests, winter.

• Edibility

  Poisonous, at least when raw.

• Comments

  According to Dr. Harry Thiers, in his monograph of the genus Russula in California, this species was long misidentified as Russula emetica. The real Russula emetica grows in Sphagnum habitats, has a somewhat different pigmentation, and has not been found in California. In our area, Russula sanguinea is similar, but has a pink stipe and a pale yellow to yellow spore print.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Brother Alfred Brousseau: Russula silvicola (CP)
  • Tom Duffy: Russula silvicola (CP)
  • Terry Goyan: Russula silvicola (CP) -- closeup of the gills
  • Mark Steinmetz: Russula silvicola (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Russula silvicola (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 97 (D), p. 98 (P) [Russula emetica]
  • Arora (1991): p. 28 (D & CP) [Russula emetica]
  • Benjamin: plate 26 (CP) [Russula emetica]
  • Lincoff: p. 701 (D), plate 328 (CP) [Russula emetica]
  • McKenny et al.: p. 96 (D), p. 97 (CP)
  • Miller: sp. 76 (D & CP) [Russula emetica]
  • Phillips: p. 130 (D) p. 130, 131 (CP)
  • Thiers (1997): p. 45 (D), plate V, fig. 29 (I)

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