Russula pectinatoides

Under broadleaves, especially Quercus or Fagus, with a hemispherical to applanate pileus with a central depression, 4 to 8 cm in diameter, brownish, paler at the margin; pale yellow spore print; whitish stipe with reddish-brown spots at the base; fruity, apple-like odor and mild, nauseating taste.

Cuticle formed by cylindrical hyphae 2 to 4 µm wide, slightly interwoven, branched, septate with simple septa, with scattered cylindrical dermatocystidia 50 to 65 µm long and 3 to 6 µm wide, containing copious blackish-brown matter inside.

Cheilocystidia and pleurocystidia numerous, fusiform, usually constricted at the apex, 40 to 65 µm long, 7 to 12 µm wide, with blackish-grey granular content inside.

Basidia clavate, 30 to 45 µm long, 7 to 9.5 µm wide, simple-based and four-spored.

Spores ellipsoidal, with warts up to 1.2 µm high, 6 to 8 µm long, 5 to 6.5 µm wide, ornamented with coarse pointed warts joined into very short, isolated ridges, not forming a complete reticulum.

Herbarium material available: JTP2115/24.