Species details
Primrose brittlegill
Russula sardonia
Inedible
Photo: Michel Langeveld · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A dark violet to bluish Russula with yellowish gills and very acrid flesh, characteristically associated with pine.
Identification features
The cap is about 8–10 cm wide, dark violet to bluish, often darker centrally. Gills are yellowish even when young and the stem is often violet-red.
Identification checklist
Check the combination of violet cap, yellowish gills, reddish stem and pine habitat.
Detailed features
- Cap
- The cap is about 8–10 cm wide, dark violet to bluish, often darker centrally.
- Hymenophore
- The gills are yellowish even in young fruitbodies, and the stem is often violet-red.
- Stem
- Gills are yellowish even when young and the stem is often violet-red.
Size
- Cap diameter
- 8–10 cm
Habitat
Grows mainly with pine, singly or in groups, in late summer and autumn.
Fruiting period
August, September, October, November
Ecology
- Host trees
- Pine (Pinus)
- Notes
- Grows mainly with pine, singly or in groups, in late summer and autumn.
How to separate similar species
Several violet Russula are similar. Because colours vary, a cap photo alone is not sufficient.