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The Sickener

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The Sickener

Poisonous

Poisonous
Autumn

Autumn
Summer

Summer

Poisonous but will only make you vomit. Common. The Russula family split from other mushrooms, evolutionarily, many years ago and have round cells instead of most other mushrooms which have elongated cells, this gives Russulas the common name Brittlegills as the cells make the mushroom brittle.

Mushroom Type
Common Names The Sickener (EN), Emetic Russula, Tegyll Brau Cyfoglyd (CY), Gołąbek Wymiotny (PL), Hánytató Galambgomba (HU)
Scientific Name Russula emetica
Season Start Jul
Season End Oct
Average Mushroom height (CM) 10
Average Cap width (CM) 10

Mushroom Image

Cap

Convex to flattening, sometimes slightly depressed in the middle. Strong red colour. Can be sticky when wet.

Gills

Cream to pale yellow, mainly free from stem or adnexed. Very brittle to the touch.

Stem

White, can broaden towards the base.

Flesh

White.

Habitat

Pine woodland.

Possible Confusion

The Beechwood Sickener (Russula nobilis) looks almost identical but as both are poisonous this shouldn’t be a harmful mistake.

Spore Print

Off-white. Ellipsoid, reticulated with warts.

Taste / Smell

Very hot.

Frequency

Common.

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 “The Sickener”

  1. Bang on the money…helped me identify this mushroom today with yours and your books help west midlands waste land wv14 come up in thire hundreds 💯 with beech and birch

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