Russula atropurpurea
Encyclopedia
Russula atropurpurea is an edible
member of the Russula
genus, that have the common name of brittlegills. It is dark vinaceous (wine-coloured) or purple, and grows with deciduous
, or occasionally coniferous trees. It is commonly
called the blackish purple Russula, or the purple brittlegill.
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.
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. 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.
Similar species: R. brunneviolacea, and R. romellii, both of which have darker spore prints.
), or pine (Pinus).
if cooked, although not recommended.
Edible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
member of the Russula
Russula
Around 750 worldwide species of mycorrhizal mushrooms compose the genus Russula. They are typically common, fairly large, and brightly colored - making them one of the most recognizable genera among mycologists and mushroom collectors...
genus, that have the common name of brittlegills. It is dark vinaceous (wine-coloured) or purple, and grows with deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
, or occasionally coniferous trees. It is commonly
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
called the blackish purple Russula, or the purple brittlegill.
Taxonomy
Initially described as Agaricus atropurpureus by German naturalist Julius von KrombholzJulius Vincenz von Krombholz
Julius Vincenz von Krombholz was a physician and mycologist born in Oberpolitz , northern Bohemia....
in 1845, and placed in Russula
Russula
Around 750 worldwide species of mycorrhizal mushrooms compose the genus Russula. They are typically common, fairly large, and brightly colored - making them one of the most recognizable genera among mycologists and mushroom collectors...
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.
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
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
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is firm, white, and turns grey with age. The closely set and fairly broad gills are adnexed to almost free, and pale cream, giving a spore print
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
of the same colour. The flesh is white; with a fruity smell, similar to apples. It tastes moderately hot.
Similar species: R. brunneviolacea, and R. romellii, both of which have darker spore prints.
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), with which it prefers to live. Favouring acid soil, it is occasionally found with beech (FagusBeech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
), or pine (Pinus).
Edibility
This mushroom is said to be the mildest of the hot tasting Russula species. It is edibleEdible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
if cooked, although not recommended.