Species details
Fragile brittlegill
Russula fragilis
Poisonous
Photo: Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A small very brittle Russula with pink-violet and greenish tones, white gills, a fruity smell and very acrid flesh.
Identification features
The cap is 3–6 cm wide, pink-violet with greenish tones and often a brownish centre. Gills are whitish, thick and very brittle. The stem is white and fragile.
Identification checklist
Check the small size, extreme brittleness, white gills and mottled pink-violet cap. Acridity is a warning feature, but tasting is not recommended.
Detailed features
- Cap
- The cap is 3–6 cm wide, pink-violet with greenish tones and often a brownish centre.
- Hymenophore
- The gills are whitish, thick and very brittle.
- Stem
- The stem is white and fragile.
Size
- Cap diameter
- 3–6 cm
Habitat
Grows in deciduous and coniferous woodland, often in groups, from early summer into late autumn or early winter.
Fruiting period
June, July, August, September, October, November
Ecology
- Notes
- Grows in deciduous and coniferous woodland, often in groups, from early summer into late autumn or early winter.
How to separate similar species
Several acrid Russula are similar. Because some cause gastrointestinal illness, a photograph alone is not sufficient for food decisions.