This is a mold-like parasitic fungus found only on species of white russula and lactarius mushrooms. The fungus completely covers its host mushroom with a vivid orange to cinnabar-red coating which has minute pustules when viewed under a lens. Each bump is a flask-like vessel in which the spores are produced (perithecium). The gills of the host mushroom are almost completely aborted by the parasite. Habitat in woods on white lactarius and russula mushrooms. Edible, this can be a delicious fungus, greatly improving the flavor of the host mushroom, but caution should be observed since accurate identification of the host is sometimes impossible; it just might parasitize a poisonous species. (Rogers Mushrooms)