Russula emetica - The Sickener

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Russulales

The specific epithet emetica surely needs no explanation. As long as you spit out a sample of any of the red brittlegills, taste testing will not result in sickness - but your tongue may tingle for a while if you sample any of the peppery hot ones. Make a meal of Russula emetica, however, and you can expect to feel very poorly for quite a few days.

On the positive side, in good condition these are among the prettiest of woodland fungi.

Identification Guide

Another ‘red for danger’ brittlegills, this mushroom is very similar in appearance to the Beechwood Sickener, Russula nobilis . Differentiating features are the greater brittleness of Russula nobilis ; its convex cap shape even when fully mature; and its cap cuticle, which peels only 1/3 to the centre whereas that of Russula emetica peels at least 2/3 to the centre.

	Cap Scarlet, fading in wet weather; peeling almost to centre; the flesh is pink beneath the cuticle; smooth convex, becoming depressed; margin striate; 3 to 10cm across.
Gills	White, turning pale cream; adnexed or free; crowded.
Stem	White; cylindrical, base slightly clavate; 4 to 9cm long, 0.7 to 2cm dia.
Spore print	Very pale cream.
Odour/taste	Faint fruity odour; very hot and peppery taste.
Habitat	Found mainly beneath conifers (pines and spruces in particular) and occasionally also on heathland.
Season	August to October.
Occurrence	Very common and widespread.
Similar species	The Beechwood Sickener, Russula nobilis, is is found under conifers; it is similar when caps are young but caps remain convex rather than becoming depressed when fully mature. It is just as poisonous as Russula emetica and so both should be avoided when gathering mushrooms for food.