Russula mutabilis Murr. Cap 3-5cm across, convex to depressed, margin striate-tuberculate; dull orange-brown to pale tawny, dull red where injured; surface viscid, not peeling readily. Gills adnate, broad, forked at base; pale yellow. Stem 30-50 x 10-13mm; dull ochre bruising deep blood red. Flesh firm; pale yellow. Odor fetid to aromatic. Taste unpleasant, acrid, or astringent. Spores subglobose, 8-10.5 x 7.5-9µ; warts 0.9-1.4µ high, large and blunt, isolated. Deposit cream (A-C). Habitat in grass, sandy soil under oak. Found in Florida and New Jersey. Season July-August. Not edible. Comment This appears to be the first published picture of this little-known species, which is distinctive by the whole mushroom drying blood red with age. |