Russula versicolor

Russula versicolor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Russulales
Family: Russulaceae
Genus: Russula
Species:
R. versicolor
Binomial name
Russula versicolor

Russula versicolor, commonly known as the birch brittlegill,[1] is a mushroom in the genus Russula. It is considered inedible.[2]

Description

The cap of Russula versicolor is variable in color, ranging from purplish to greenish to whitish. It can sometimes be a mix of different colors. It is convex to depressed and is about 2-6 centimeters in diameter. The gills are adnate to free,[1] and cream-colored. The stipe is white to yellowish,[3] and about 2-5 centimeters long and 0.5-1.5 centimeters wide.[1] The spore print is creamy to yellowish in color, and the taste is acrid.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Russula versicolor is often found under planted birch trees[1] in parks.[3] It fruits during late summer and fall.[1] It is known to occur in Europe and the Pacific Northwest. However, genetic studies show that the Pacific Northwestern version may be a distinct species.[3]

See also

References

Russula versicolor
Mycological characteristics
Gills on hymenium
Cap is convex or depressed
Hymenium is adnate or free
Stipe is bare
Spore print is white to buff
Edibility is not recommended
  1. ^ a b c d e Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 242. ISBN 9781941624197.
  2. ^ Phillips, Roger (2010) [2005]. Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
  3. ^ a b c d Trudell, Steve (October 25, 2022) [January 1, 2009]. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest (Revised ed.). Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 65–66. ISBN 9781643260860.