Russula paludosa, also known as Tall Bog Russula, is taller and larger than most russulas. It has a convex to depressed, orange-red cap, with yellow discolouration in the centre and a slightly sticky surface when damp. The mushroom is mycorrhizal and occurs in coniferous woodlands and in peat bogs, preferably under pine trees, where it forms mycorrhizae. Locally it can be very common.

Cap coloured a distinctive bloody red, pink or purple. Sometimes it may show a yellowish or orange tinge in the centre. At first convex, later flattened and depressed, shiny or somewhat sticky when damp. The cuticle can easily be peeled off halfway to the centre. The flesh is fragile, white, with a mild taste and without scent. It quickly becomes soft and spongy and also greyish. Gills are cream or pallid ochraceous, adnexed, brittle, narrow, and strongly interveined. Stem white or tinged pink, more or less equal or tapering slightly upwards, smooth. The stem flesh is white, fragile, and stuffed. The stem has no ring. Spore print deep cream to dark ochre.

Microscopic Features: The spores are broadly ellipsoidal to globose, measuring 8-10.5 x 7-8μm. They have large warts, some up to 1.2μm tall, and are partially connected, forming a reticulate network.

Note: The mushrooms resembling Russula paludosa in North America may not necessarily be this exact species.

Russula paludosa on the www.first-nature.com web site.