A New Species of the Russula punctipes‐senecis Complex (Russulales, Basidiomycota) From Subtropical China

Supported by morphological and molecular evidence, a new species from subtropical China, Russula pseudopunctipes , is described herein. It belongs to Russula sect. Ingratae and is nested within the R. punctipes‐senecis complex. This species is primarily characterised by a golden‐brown flaxen to ochre red‐brown pileus with distinct stellate cracking; an indistinct, occasionally slightly foetid odour and a mild taste; unforked lamellae with lamellulae and brownish serrate edges; a stipe covered with fine dark brown warts, with the base frequently browning with age; and basidiospores ornamented with disconnected, zebreate winged projections and isolated warts. In the pileipellis, hyphal terminations arise from a pseudoparenchymatous layer of large inflated cells, and terminal hyphae near the pileus margin are usually composed of only 1–2 cells. Multi‐locus phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated ITS and LSU sequences strongly support that this novel taxon forms an independent and highly supported clade within the R. punctipes‐senecis complex. Detailed morphological descriptions and photographs of macroscopic and microscopic features are provided.