Scientists have discovered and described a new species of mushroom from southwestern China. This mushroom, named Russula rubrosquamosa, is characterized by its small size and distinctive orange-red scales covering its cap and stem. The discovery adds to our understanding of fungal biodiversity in Asia. Impacts on everyday life: • Contributes to the documentation and preservation of Earth’s biodiversity • Helps in understanding ecological relationships between fungi and forest trees • Advances our knowledge of mushroom species that may have potential future applications • Assists in forest conservation efforts by identifying important fungal species • Provides valuable information for mushroom identification and classification