The Sickener

Russula emetica

Forests, parks. Summer, autumn.

Fruiting bodies medium-sized. Cap 5-8 (10) cm across, flattened, slightly depressed in the middle, the cuticle peels easily, the margin furrowed. Gills white, cream when old, fragile, not broad, adnexed. Stem 5-8x1-2 cm, white. Flesh white, fragile, thin, with a sharp peppery taste. Characteristic features: gills white, cream when old, stem white, flesh very bitter. The cap colour varies with the habitat. Grows singly or in small groups, especially in damp places. Very common, inedible because of its bitter taste. In all, 300 species of Russula have been described, 200 in Europe, and in Lithuania so far 60. Almost all are edible; only the very bitter-tasting ones should not be eaten.