Russula praetervisa
Russula praetervisa
Status:
Uncommon.
Meaning 'reddish'.
Cap:
3-8cm
Stem:
3-7cm
Meaning 'overlooked'
Description
Formely known as Russula pectinatoides, but that species is now thought to be found only in North America. Noting the smell, taste and reaction to guaiac and iron salts is crucial to confirm the ID. The 'taste' (by placing a bit of the gill on your tongue and spitting out) is mild and oily but importantly not hot. Often appearing early in the season, June and July commonly, and so you often find dried specimens when the weather turns hot. Look for the rust coloured spots towards the bottom of the stem.
Smell
Not pleasant, oily or fishy.
Season
Summer to Early Autumn, often found in June, July and August.
Habitat & Distribution
Often in parkland under Oak (Quercus) and sometimes Lime (Tilia), frequently on sandy or light soils.
Edibility
The smell of this mushroom should be enough to keep you from eating it.
Confusion Species
Spores
7-8.5 x 5.5-7 μm. Warts to around 0.7 μm, frequently connected. High contrast image, spores in Melzer's Reagent.
Spore Print Colour
Dark cream.
Differs from the very similar Russula pectinata which has a foetid smell, unpleasant and acrid taste and spores with fewer connectives.
Differs from Russula sororia which has a very acrid taste, a very weak to negative reaction to guaiac and spores with very few connectives.