''Russula betularum'' is a small, very pale member of the ''
Russula'' (brittlegills)
genus of
mushrooms. It is usually white to very pale pink, inedible, and grows with
birch trees. It is
commonly known as the birch brittlegill.
Taxonomy
The
specific epithet
In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...
''betularum'' "of the birches", refers to its association with birch (''
Betula'' species). Some sources regard it as a variety of the sickener (''
R. emetica'').
Description
The
cap is convex to flattened, and often has a central depression. On expansion the margin becomes furrowed, and bears low warts. It is in diameter, and the cuticle may be peeled off completely. The cap ranges in colour from white to pale pink, to deep pink, and can even be pale
buff. Although more often it is white with a pale pink blush, turning pale yellow ochre in the centre. The
stem
Stem or STEM may refer to:
Plant structures
* Plant stem, a plant's aboveground axis, made of vascular tissue, off which leaves and flowers hang
* Stipe (botany), a stalk to support some other structure
* Stipe (mycology), the stem of a mushro ...
is typically longer than the diameter of the cap, and is cylindrical or slightly club-shaped. It is white, and very fragile. The
gills are also white, and well spaced, and the
spore print is white. The
flesh is white and tastes hot.
It might be confused with ''
Russula fragilis
''Russula fragilis'', commonly known as the fragile russula, or fragile brittlegill, is a species of mushroom of the genus '' Russula'', whose members are commonly known as brittlegills. It is a small, fragile, long stemmed, and variably coloure ...
'' (
Pers.)
Fr. which can be pale in colour, and occur in the same habitat. However, the cuticle of the latter species is only three quarters peeling, usually darker at the centre, and with purplish tones. It also has marked serrations on the gill edges.
Distribution and habitat
''Russula betularum'' appears in summer and early autumn. It is widespread in Britain, Europe, and Scandinavia, and is probably
mycorrhizal with
birch trees. It often grows in damp places in woodlands.
[
]
Edibility
This mushroom is inedible, and has a hot 'peppery' taste.[ Many bitter tasting red-capped species can cause problems if eaten raw; the symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal in nature: diarrhoea, vomiting and colicky abdominal cramps. The active agent has not been identified but thought to be sesquiterpenes, which have been isolated from the related genus '']Lactarius
''Lactarius'' is a genus of mushroom-producing, ectomycorrhizal fungi, containing several edible species. The species of the genus, commonly known as milk-caps, are characterized by the milky fluid ("latex") they exude when cut or damaged. Like ...
'' and from '' Russula sardonia''.
See also
* List of ''Russula'' species
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q580098
Fungi of Europe
Inedible fungi
betularum