Russula mariae Pk. syn. Russula alachuana Murr. Purple-bloom Russula Cap 2-7(10)cm across, convex then flattened, margin striate to sulcate; deep purple-violet, wine-red, ruby-red to coral-pink, often mixed with greenish tints, rarely entirely greenish yellow; dry and velvety to pruinose. Gills adnate, crowded, often forking; white then soon pale yellow-buff (C-D). Stem 20-60 x 5-20mm, equal to tapered at base and apex, firm; white to pinkish or entirely deep pinkish purple; surface dull, pruinose to granular. Flesh white. Odor oily. Taste mild to slightly acrid or oily. Spores subglobose, amyloid, 6.5-8.5(9) x 5.5-7.5(8)µ; ornamentation up to 1.2µ high, consisting of long irregular crests and ridges, flattened spines, and a few conical warts, forming a partial to complete reticulum. Deposit pale yellow (C-D). Cap cystidia in clumps, lance-shaped, without septa. Habitat common especially near oak. Found widely in eastern North America, west to Michigan. Season June-October. Edible-good. (Never eat any mushroom until you are certain it is edible as many are poisonous and some are deadly poisonous)