Russula basifurcata

Pileus
Cap 4-7 cm broad, convex, expanding to nearly plane, the disc frequently slightly depressed; margin decurved, inconspicuously striate or not all, plane to occasionally upturned in age; surface smooth, sticky when moist, otherwise dry, white to cream-colored with pinkish tinges, or when young, the colors sometimes reversed, pink tones masking a cream background; flesh white, firm, thin at the margin, moderately thick at the disc, unchanging when injured; odor and taste mild.

Lamellae
Gills adnate to adnexed, close, moderately broad, tending to branch near the stipe, sometimes intervenose or anastomosing, cream-colored, pale-yellowish in age.

Stipe
Stipe 3-7 cm long, 1-3 cm thick, solid, equal to tapering an enlarged base; surface smooth or faintly wrinkled, white to tinged pinkish; flesh white, unchanging when cut; veil absent.

Spores
Spores 7.0-9.5 x 6.5-8 µm, subglobose; amyloid ornamentation consisting of short spines and lines, forming a partial to complete reticulum; spore print yellow.

Habitat
Scattered to gregarious in mixed hardwood/conifer woods; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

Edibility
Unknown.

Comments
Russula basifurcata is characterized by a cream-colored cap, typically infused with pinkish tones and pale-yellowish gills that often branch near their attachment point with the stipe. The lack of a striate cap margin, mild taste and odor plus a yellowish spore print also help to identify this Russula. We have found it commonly under Liveoak (Quercus agrifolia).