Russula sardonia - Primrose Brittlegill

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Russulales

Primrose Brittlegills have purple-flushed stems and primrose gills that turn golden yellow with age. The specimens shown here have emerged in wet weather and already slugs have taken chunks out of their caps.

Although some sources say that the Primrose Brittlegill is edible, many authorities state that it is suspect and could cause stomach upsets.

Identification Guide

Cap	5 to 10cm across; convex, flattening and developing a central depression; hardly peepling at all; usually reddish-puple with a darker purple (sometimes almost black) centre, but sometimes with green or grey tints; fading with age.
Gills	Adnexed or very slightly decurrent; primrose yellow at first, becoming golden yellow and finally browning at the edges.
Stem	White at base, flushed lilac to wine-red above; cylindrical or tapering slightly at base; 5 to 8cm long, 1.0 to 1.6cm dia.
Spore print	Cream.
Odour/taste	Fruity odour; hot taste.
Habitat	In coniferous woodland, particularly under pines.
Season	July to October.
Occurrence	Widespread and common.
Similar species	Russula atropurpurea the Purple Brittlegill, has a white stem.