Local name: Eto Shamong

Edibility: Considered edible in Bhutan

Habitat: Terrestrial and scattered or gregarious.

Description: Cap: 5-10 cm, convex when young, becoming flat as it matures, slimy but often drying out quickly, smooth or finely hairy in places, margin enrolled and soft or cottony, eventually unrolling, reddish to pinkish, often bruising yellow in places especially near the margin. Hymenophore: Gills are attached to the stem or beginning to run down, close, white when young, soon developing reddish spots or becoming pinkish overall. Stem: 3-7 cm tall and 1-3.cm wide, more or less equal, white at first but soon developing the colours of the cap, smooth or finely hairy and solid. Flesh: White and flushed with pink, thick and soft. Spore Print:White.

Comments: Features defining Hygrophorus russula include the reddish spotting on the mature gills, the habitat under hardwoods, and the fact that the cap and stem often feature streaks and spots of purplish pink shades. Several conifer-loving Hygrophorus species are very close in appearance. Hygrophorus russula has a slimy cap, but it soon dries out.