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Type: Article
Published: 2017-10-03
Page range: 237–252
Abstract views: 19
PDF downloaded: 1

Russula (Russulaceae) in western Himalaya 1: Two new species from subg. Russula

Department of Botany & Microbiology, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal–246174, Uttarakhand, India
Botanical Survey of India, Cryptogamic Unit, P.O. Botanic Garden, Howrah–711103, India
Macrofungi phylogeny taxonomy Fungi

Abstract

A couple of forays to the temperate to subalpine regions of the western Himalaya uncovered two new species: Russula rajendrae and R. petersenii. Russula rajendrae (subg. Russula sec. Russula subsect. Russula), is characterized by a pale red to venetian pink or pastel red colored pileus with grayish yellow patches in the center, a white spore print, an acrid taste, and cystidia with variably shaped apices (capitate, rounded, moniliform, appendiculate or pointed) whereas, Russula petersenii (subg. Russula sec. Paraincrustatae subsect. Integrae), is characterized by a white pileus with pale yellow to light yellow patches and a concolorous stipe, white to yellowish white lamellae with 3 series of lamellulae, a white spore print, an acrid taste, basidiospores with isolated warts (sparsely connected in places), and different types of cystidial apices. Macro- and micromorphological descriptions together with illustrations and phylogenetic inferences are presented for both species. Allied taxa (endemic and extralimital) are also compared.