Russula compacta is a firm and rather sturdy mushroom for a russula. Most russulas are to varying degrees quite fragile and break easily. Russula compacta also weathers dry spells well and so we often see it when there is little else around due to lack of rain for extended periods. It is also subject to the kind of cracking visible on this specimen's tannish cap. Both the gills and the stipe of this species bruise brown, and as Russula compacta ages the staining increases (See next photo). The odor emitted from a mature specimen is rather fishy - almost like shellfish. This is an edible mushroom, but you may want to gather fresher specimens than this one!