This is the most common Russula in my neck of the woods (Greater NY). The convex cap, 1/2 to 2 inches wide, purple or lilac (fading to pink in age) and darker in the sunken center, is incurved at the margin, where there are faint radial lines. You can peel the cuticle (skin) about 1/3 way from the edge of the cap to the center.

The delicate flesh is white, with very little odor.

The white to slightly cream-colored gills are slightly forked (branched).

The spore print is white.

The spongy stalk is 1-1/2 to 2-3/4 inches long, 3/8 to 1/4 inches wide, of uniform width, whitish toward the top, red below.

This mushroom is very common throughout eastern North America in the summer, growing under hardwoods or evergreens.

It has no flavor, and isn't worth eating. Don't confuse it with acrid-tasting red Russulas, which will make you throw up.

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