Russula delica - Milk White Brittlegill

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Russulales

Russula delica, the Milk White Brittlegill, emerges from the earth pushing up pine needles, turf or leaf litter; hence, the large off-white cap is usually badly marked.

Although not considered poisonous, this mushroom has a poor flavour and is generally considered inedible or at least not worth collecting - which is a pity, because its size, widespread distribution and abundance would make the task of gathering enough for a feast very easy indeed.

One of the largest mushrooms in the Russula genus, this very common white species is difficult to find in good condition because its dry cap is so often soiled and damaged while still below ground.

Russula delica is now commonly referred to as the Milk White Brittlegill; some still call it the Milk-white Russula.

Identification Guide

	Cap 5 to 18cm in diameter, this fairly common mushroom resembles a milkcap in its development and general form. The cap is quite substantially expanded by the time that it emerges from the earth, and it often pushes up soil and leaf litter that often marks the cap. Convex, with an inrolled margin, the cap soon becomes funnel-shaped. The dirty-white cap becomes pale yellowish-brown with age; its surface is matt and dry. Beneath the surface the flesh is white and does not change colour when cut.
	Gills Narrow and moderately spaced or only slightly crowded, the brittle white or pale cream gills are decurrent. When damaged they release no milk - hence this species is classified as a Russula rather than Lactarius species. Stem 2 to 5cm in diameter and cylindrical, the short white stem is smooth and has no ring.
Spore print	White or very pale cream.
Odour/taste	Faintly fishy or oily odour; very bitter and hot taste in the gills but fairly mild in the stem flesh.
Habitat	Coniferous and broad-leaf woodland.
Season	August to October.
Occurrence	Frequent.
Similar species	Russula chloroides has more crowded gills and a faint bluish-green band around the top of the stem where the gills terminate. Lactarius piperatus is similar in appearance but its very crowded gills release a white latex when they are damaged.