Russula kashmiriana sp. nov. in subgenus Tenellula from Himalayan temperate forests of Pakistan

Russula kashmiriana sp. nov (subg. Tenellula, sect. Laricinae) has been collected and described from Himalayan coniferous forests of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), Pakistan. The taxon is characterized by bright reddish orange pileus with cracked margins and obvious reddish orange circle on the pileus, yellow context and light olive to yellowish amyloid basidiospores. Micro and macroscopic features along with molecular phylogenetic analysis based on large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences data confirmed the status of Russula kashmiriana as a distinct species.