Russula chloroides is now considered a distinct species because of the very dense lamellae and blue/green zone at the stem apex of some specimens.

[3][4] Mycologist John Burton Cleland collected a form he described in 1935 as R. delica from under eucalypts in the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia,[5] however, this was reclassified as a new species R. marangania in 1997 by Cheryl Grgurinovic.

[6] The basidiocarps (fruiting bodies) of Russula delica seem loath to leave the soil, and are often found half buried, or sometimes growing hypogeously.

Russula pallidospora is another similar species, which has very tough flesh, more distant gills and an ochraceous spore deposit.

Similar whitish milk-cap species, such as Lactifluus piperatus all exude milk from the gills, and the cut flesh.

[8] In North America Russula delica is rare and is largely replaced by R. brevipes,[10] which is very similar, but not found in Europe.

[1] However, in Cyprus,[11] as well as certain Greek islands such as Lesvos,[12] huge numbers of Russula delica are collected and consumed every year.