Russula atropurpurea

Russula atropurpurea
Common
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Russulales
Family: Russulaceae
Genus: Russula
Species: R. atropurpurea
Binomial name
Russula atropurpurea
(Krombh.) Britzelm.
Synonyms

R. krombholzii Krombh.
R. undulata

Russula atropurpurea
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Mycological characteristics

gills on hymenium

cap is convex

or flat
hymenium is adnexed
stipe is bare
spore print is white
ecology is mycorrhizal
edibility: edible

Russula atropurpurea is an edible member of the Russula genus, that have the common name of brittlegills. It is dark vinaceous (red wine-coloured) or purple, and grows with deciduous, or occasionally coniferous trees. It is commonly called the blackish purple Russula, or the purple brittlegill.

Taxonomy

Initially described as Agaricus atropurpureus by German naturalist Julius von Krombholz in 1845, and placed in Russula by Britzelmayr in 1893, the binomial name of this mushroom R. atropurpurea (Krombh.) Britzelm is accepted as being incorrect, and mycologists cannot agree on a suitable replacement.[1]

Description

The cap is 4–10 cm (0.8–4 in) in diameter. It is dark reddish purple, with a dark; sometimes almost black centre. At first it is convex, but later flattens, and often has a shallow depression. It can also be lighter in colour, or mottled yellowish. The stem is firm, white, and turns grey with age. It measures 3-6cm in length and 1-2cm in diameter. The closely set and fairly broad gills are adnexed to almost free, and pale cream, giving a spore print of the same colour. The flesh is white; with a fruity smell, similar to apples. It tastes moderately hot.[1]

Similar species: R. brunneviolacea, and R. romellii, both of which have darker spore prints.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Russula atropurpurea appears in late summer and autumn. It is common in the northern temperate zones, Europe, Asia, and Eastern North America, and is mycorrhizal with oak (Quercus),[2][3] with which it prefers to live. Favouring acid soil, it is occasionally found with beech (Fagus), or pine (Pinus).[1]

Spores

The spore print is Whitish, and the subglobose to globose spores ornamented with warts and ridges measure 7-9 x 6-7 μm.

Spores at 800x found in a field in Wales, United Kingdom.

Edibility

This mushroom is said to be the mildest of the hot tasting Russula species. It is edible if cooked, although not recommended.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Roger Phillips (2006). Mushrooms. Pan MacMillan. p. 22. ISBN 0-330-44237-6.
  2. 1 2 Thomas Laessoe (1998). Mushrooms (flexi bound). Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7513-1070-0.
  3. David Arora (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-89815-169-4.
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