Taxonomic Revision of the Genus (Russulales, Basidiomycota) of South Korea.

(Pers.) Roussel is an ectomycorrhizal genus that was recently recognized to be distinct from the genus . To date, 226 species have been reported worldwide. Misidentification of species is common because of intraspecific morphological variation, cryptic diversity, and the limited number of taxonomic keys available. Molecular data are indispensable for species delimitation; a multilocus phylogenetic analysis showed that most Asian species are not conspecific with morphologically similar species present on other continents. In particular, Korea has misused European and North American names. In this study, we evaluated the taxonomy of in Korea using both morphological and multilocus molecular (ITS, nrLSU, , and ) data. We examined 199 specimens collected between 1980 and 2016, and a total of 24 species across the four subgenera were identified. All Korean species are distinct and clearly separated from European and North American species. Five taxa corresponded to previously described species from Asia and the remaining 19 taxa are confirmed as new species. Herein, we provide keys to the Korean species within their subgenera, molecular phylogenies, a summary of diversity, and detailed description of the new species.