i have a Russula sp. with a reddish brown colored cap. it has no taste so i assume that eliminates emetica. i'm a novice using 3 good field guides and i've looked at many websites but cannot identify it. i found it growing under an aspen tree (n.y. state) along with several others in a northern forested region. since i'm stumped (and would like to eat it) i'm considering cooking and eating a small "test piece." any thoughts on that or recommendations for websites that will help with Russula indentification. paul
Russula question WITH photos here are some photos to go with my message posted yesterday. since no one responded perhaps these will help. also the spore color is very pale yellow. paul
Re: Russula question WITH photos Based on the yellow staining of the stem, the spore print color, and the striated cap margin, these could be Russula xerampelina. I'm more familiar with forms that have some pinkish coloration of the stem and those that I have found have been in conifer-dominated forests. I'm not familiar with your area, either, so I wouldn't eat these based on what I have said.
i'm still uncertain about the species, but i've eaten "test samples" twice now and it is very tasty. paul
