Bloody Brittlegill

Russula sanguinea

Damp, grassy pine forests. Summer, autumn.

Medium-sized. Cap 5-10 cm across, matt, the cuticle peels with difficulty, dark red, blood-red, the margin more yellowish, spotted. Gills white, cream when old, adnate. Stem 3-7x2-3 cm, white, with a pink bloom. Flesh white, up to 2 cm thick, firm, bitter, with a fruity smell. Characteristic features: a typical pine-forest species, cap yellowish-spotted, the cuticle does not peel, only tears off at the margin. Grows singly or in small groups. Edible when well boiled, but not recommended because of its bitter taste; it is classed as inedible. Common.