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Greencracked Brittlegill

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Greencracked Brittlegill

Edible

Edible
Autumn

Autumn
Summer

Summer

An uncommon Russula that’s great tasting, this can be improved upon by drying the mushroom first.

Mushroom Type
Common Names Greencracked Brittlegill (EN), Green Cracking Russula, Tegyll Brau Craciog (CY), Gołąbek Zielonawy (PL), Varashátú Galambgomba (HU)
Scientific Name Russula virescens
Season Start Jul
Season End Oct
Average Mushroom height (CM) 9
Average Cap width (CM) 13

Mushroom Image

Cap

Green and tan cracked areas towards the edges, on top of a white/cream background. Convex then opening flat with a depression in the middle, the edges often split with age.

Gills

Gills white/cream coloured, fairly crowded and brittle when handled.

Stem

White/off white sometimes browning slightly. The stem is brittle and should break a little like chalk.

Flesh

White.

Habitat

Broad leaved woodland, especially beech.

Possible Confusion

It is difficult to confuse this mushroom with any other Russula or fungi in the British Isles but the taste test with Russulas is always a safe way to identify members of this family, with the taste being mild and mushroomy you know it is edible, if it is hot and acrid it is a poisonous Russula.
The taste test should only be carried out on members of the Russula family.

Spore Print

White/off white. Ellipsoid, ovoid, subglobose.

Taste / Smell

Good, quite nutty.

Frequency

Uncommon.

Other Facts

The Russula family split from other mushrooms, evolutionarily, many years ago and have round cells instead of most other living organisms which have elongated cells, this gives Russulas the common name Brittlegills as the cells make the mushroom brittle.

Foraging Pocket Guide
Mushroom Guide
Foraging Basket with shoulder strap

COMMENTS

One response to “Greencracked Brittlegill”

  1. Alan Carney avatar
    Alan Carney

    This would make a great video. A green mushroom. Wow.

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