Russula nobilis - Beechwood Sickener

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Russulales

Russula nobilis (syn. Russula mairei) is commonly known as the Beechwood Sickener. It has a bitter taste, and if eaten it usually causes sickness, stomach pains and vomiting. The caps vary from almost white to a rich rosy pink.

Brittlegill identification is far from easy, and red-capped species are among the toughest to untangle. If you plan on gathering any brittlegills to eat, avoid the red-capped ones unless you can identify them with confidence.

Identification Guide

This very red brittlegill is found only beneath beech trees, sometimes in mixed woodland but more often in beechwoods. It is not easy to distinguish between some of the red members of the Russula genus. This particular species is poisonous, as indeed is the rather similar Russula emetica which grows under conifers. Distinguishing 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	3 to 9cm dia., smooth, non-striate and bright red or pink (very occasionally almost completely white) the cap of this species generally remains convex with at most only a shallow central depression. Slightly sticky when wet, the cap surface dries to a matt finish. The flesh is red or pink immediately beneath the cuticle; elsewhere the flesh is white.
Gills	White, sometimes with a greenish tinge, the adnexed, crowded gills are very brittle indeed and easily crumble if they are handled.
Stem	10 to 15mm in diameter and 20 to 40mm tall, the white stems are smooth and slightly clavate. The stem flesh is white; there is no stem ring.
Spore print	White.
Odour/taste	Faint odour of coconut in young specimens; very hot taste.
Habitat	Under beech trees.
Season	August to October.
Occurrence	Frequent.
Similar species	Russula emetica is found under conifers; its cap becomes depressed when fully mature and the cap cuticle peels more readily. It is just as poisonous as Russula nobilis and so both should be avoided when gathering mushrooms for food.