Russula brevipes

Pileus
Cap (4)6-12(20) cm broad, broadly convex with depressed center to nearly infundibuliform at maturity; surface smooth, dry, subviscid to viscid when wet, white, sometimes yellowish to brownish in age; margin plane to decurved; flesh thick, solid, crisp, brittle, white, becoming yellowish in age; odor mild, taste slowly acrid.

Lamellae
Gills adnate to adnexed, decurrent with age, close; color white, often pale yellow or pale tan in age; lamellulae present.

Stipe
Stipe (2)4-6(8) cm long, (1.5)2-3(4) cm thick, equal or tapered towards the base, solid; surface dry white, with yellowish to brownish discolorations in age.

Spores
Spores 8-10.5 x 6.5-9 µm, subglobose to subovoid to subellipsoid, with amyloid ornamentation of warts and ridges. Spore print white to pale yellow.

Habitat
Solitary to scattered to gregarious in soil of our coastal forests, often in great abundance; most common late fall.

Edibility
Edible, but mediocre.

Comments
Russula brevipes is one of the most common Russula species on the west coast, and is easily identified by its stature, large size, and white coloration which does not stain when handled. Russula brevipes var. acrior is distinguished by the greenish discoloration of the gills and conspicuous greenish band around the apex of the stipe.