Russula rhodocephala
| Russula rhodocephala | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pacifica, California, 2021 | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Russulales |
| Family: | Russulaceae |
| Genus: | Russula |
| Species: | R. rhodocephala
|
| Binomial name | |
| Russula rhodocephala Bazzic., D.Miller & Buyck (2017)
| |
| Russula rhodocephala | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex or depressed |
 | Hymenium is adnate |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is cream to yellow |
 | Edibility is not recommended |
Russula rhodocephala, also known as the redhead brittlegill,[1] rosy russula,[2] or redhead russula, is a species of gilled mushroom.[3] It typically grows in association with pine trees.[4] It is primarily found on the Pacific coast of western North America, although mushrooms with 97 percent genetic similarity are known from Asia.[5]: 79 This species was formerly considered to be Russula sanguinaria, from which it has been recently separated due to differences in genetics and geographic distribution.[5]: 79 It has an extremely acrid taste when raw,[5]: 78 and is described as having a "disgusting" flavor when cooked.[4] Another source describes it as having unknown edibility.[2]
Description
The cap of Russula rhodocephala is red in color and about 4-12 centimeters in diameter. It starts out round or convex and becomes broadly convex or flat as the mushroom gets older.[1] The gills can be white or yellowish and can be adnexed or adnate.[2] The stipe is pink in color and about 2.5-7 centimeters long and 1-2.5 centimeters wide. The spore print is pale yellow or cream-colored.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 233. ISBN 9781941624197.
- ^ a b c Stevens, Michael Wood & Fred. "California Fungi: Russula rhodocephala". www.mykoweb.com. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
- ^ "Russula rhodocephala (Redhead Russula)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ a b Trudell, Steve (2022). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest (Rev. ed.). Timber Press. pp. no pag. ISBN 978-1-64326-170-6.
- ^ a b c Bazzicalupo, Anna Liza (2018). Evaluating morphology and geographic range extent of genetically delimited species of mushrooms (Thesis). University of British Columbia. doi:10.14288/1.0370960.