Russula xerampelina
Key to Gilled Mushrooms KeyThis is a key to gilled mushrooms, that is, mushrooms having a definite cap with a fertile surface consisting of gills. The fruiting body usually also has a stem, although that may be lateral or absent (usually, then, the mushroom is growing from wood). You can use this key to identify mushrooms that you find.
Russulales SuborderFlesh without fibers, fracturing with the same sort of break as a piece of chalk
Spore and gill color limited to white, yellow, or ochre
Mycorrhizal: occuring only on the ground, and only when there are trees nearby
No ring or volva on stalk
All fleshy-stemmed mushrooms whose gills exude a latex when cut go here
Russula GenusNo latex
Cap usually brighter colored than Lactarius
Stalk usually white or tinged with color of cap
Purple Russula SubgenusCap with at least some purple, lilac, vinaceous or magenta coloring
Mundane Purple Russula SectionCap color solid, or changing smoothly and universally from center to margin
Fishy Purple Russula SubSectionOld or crushed flesh (try sniffing the gills) smell of fish or seafood that's starting to go bad
Flesh stains deep olive green with FeSO4
Stem bruises and ages brown
Here are the characters that distinguish this species from the others in its group. For its more general characters, see higher up on the page.
If there's just a few words or a microscopic feature here, a more thorough description can be found above.
Diagnosis
- Cap up to 4 1/2" across; pale to dark vinaceous, often redder or browner; peeling only at the margin
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Stem usually colored like cap, but lighter
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Under conifers
Microscropic Characters
