Russula aurata

Russula aurata is an occasional species under broad-leaf trees, and is mainly found under spruce trees. It is a fairly frequent find in summer and autumn. This is an edible russula.

This is an edible mushroom, but it is unusual to find sufficient in one location to justify collecting them.

Red russulas are very difficult to identify with certainty, but specimens of Russula aurata have the almost unique characteristic of developing golden-ochre coloured stems when they are mature (a feature that is no longer evident on the damaged stem shown here).

Cap	4 to 9 cm in diameter, the caps are spherical at first, becoming convex and then flattening and often with slightly depressed centres. Orange or blood red, often with a golden tinge especially in the centre, the cap cuticle easily peels half way to the centre.
Gills	Adnexed or free, the fairly well spaced broad gills are pale ochre, darkening slightly as the fruiting body ages.
Stipe	10 to 25 mm in diameter and 4 to 9 cm tall, the brittle stems are white at first but becoming golden-yellow with age. There is no stem ring.
Spore print	Ochre.
Odour/taste	No significant odour; mild taste.
Habitat	In broad-leaf woodland.
Season	August to October.
Occurrence	Infrequent.
Similar species	Russula paludosa is a red species that sometimes has an orange tinge to its cap, but the stem remains white or pale pink rather than turning golden yellow.

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Russula aurata

Cap

Gills

Stipe

Spore print

Odour/taste

Habitat

Season

Occurrence

Similar species