The Russulaceae are a diverse family of fungi in the order Russulales, with roughly 1,900 known species and a worldwide distribution. They comprise the brittlegills and the milk-caps, well-known mushroom-forming fungi that include some edible species. These gilled mushrooms are characterised by the brittle flesh of their fruitbodies.
Lactarius is a genus of mushroom-producing, ectomycorrhizal fungi, containing several edible species. The species of the genus, commonly known as milk-caps, are characterized by the milky fluid ("latex") they exude when cut or damaged. Like the closely related genus Russula, their flesh has a distinctive brittle consistency. It is a large genus with over 500 known species, mainly distributed in the Northern hemisphere. Recently, the genus Lactifluus has been separated from Lactarius based on molecular phylogenetic evidence.
Calvatia is a genus of puffball mushrooms that includes the spectacular giant puffball C. gigantea. It was formerly classified within the now-obsolete order Lycoperdales, which, following a restructuring of fungal taxonomy brought about by molecular phylogeny, has been split; the puffballs, Calvatia spp. are now placed in the family Agaricaceae of the order Agaricales.
Macrolepiota is a genus of white spored, gilled mushrooms of the family Agaricaceae. The best-known member is the parasol mushroom (M. procera). The widespread genus contains about 40 species.
Gautieria is a genus of hypogeal fungi in the family Gomphaceae. They form mycorrhizae with various tree species, mostly from the family Pinaceae. Species are present over much of the world's temperate and boreal forest habitats. It is well documented that species from this genera are an important part of the diet of the northern flying squirrel. Also, some Australian marsupials, especially the rat-kangaroos, feed extensively on these fungi. The fungi also benefit from this relationship: not only do the squirrels help to disperse the spores and propagate the species, studies suggest that passage through the digestive tract of a mammal promotes germination of spores.
Cystolepiota is a genus of mushroom-forming fungi in the family Agaricaceae.
Cystangium is a genus of fungi in the family Russulaceae. The genus contains 32 species that are distributed in Australia and South America. Cystangium was described by American mycologists Rolf Singer and Alexander H. Smith in 1960.
Setchelliogaster is a genus of fungi in the order Agaricales. It is incertae sedis with respect to familial placement within the order, although Kirk and colleagues consider it likely aligned with either the Bolbitiaceae or the Cortinariaceae. Species Fungorum class it as in the Bolbitiaceae family. The genus is widespread in warm, dry areas, and originally contained five species, later degraded to 3 species. It was circumscribed by Czech mycologist Zdeněk Pouzar in 1958.
Octaviania is a genus of truffle-like fungi in the family Boletaceae. The widespread genus is estimated to contain 15 species.
Sanford Myron Zeller was an American mycologist.
Arcangeliella crassa is a North American secotioid fungus species in the family Russulaceae. Like other members of its genus, it should probably be transferred to the genus Lactarius. It was described from a collection made in Stanislaus National Forest, Northern California.
Zelleromyces cinnabarinus is a North American gasteroid fungus species in the family Russulaceae with a cinnabar-red peridium. It is the type species of Zelleromyces, and like other members of its genus, it should probably be transferred to the genus Lactarius which it belongs to phylogenetically. It was described from a collection made under pine near Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Stephanospora is a genus of gasteroid fungi in the family Stephanosporaceae. As of September 2015, Index Fungorum lists six species in the genus; nine new Australasian species were described in 2014 from collections previously thought to represent S. flava.
Dr Teresa Lebel is a taxonomist and ecologist who works on fungi, with a particular interest in subterranean truffle-like fungi and their mushroom, bolete, bracket or cup relatives.
Russula agaricina is a fungus in the family, Russulaceae.
