Birch russula (Russula betularum)
Systematics:
- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
- Order: Russulales
- Family: Russulaceae (Russula)
- Genus: Russula (Russula)
- Species: Russula betularum (Birch russula)
Other names:
- Russula emetica
Birch russula (Russula emetica) is a mushroom belonging to the russula family and russula genus.
External description
Birch russula (Russula emetica) is a fleshy fruiting body, consisting of a cap and a stem, the flesh of which is white and very fragile. At high humidity, it changes its color to grayish, has a faint smell and a pungent taste.
The mushroom cap reaches 2-5 cm in diameter, is characterized by a large thickness, but at the same time it is very fragile. In immature fruiting bodies, it is flattened and has wavy edges. As the mushroom matures, it becomes slightly depressed. Its color can be very varied, from deep red to copper. True, more often the hat of birch russula is lilac-pink, with a yellowish tint in the center. At high air humidity, it can become mottled, changing its color to cream. The top skin is very easy to remove from the cap.
The leg of birch russula is initially characterized by high density, but in humid weather it becomes very brittle and becomes very wet. Its thickness along the entire length is approximately the same, but sometimes it is thinner at the top. The leg of birch russula is yellowish or white, wrinkled, and often empty inside (especially in ripe fruit bodies).
The fungus hymenophore is lamellar, consists of thin, rare and fragile plates, slightly growing together with the surface of the leg. Are white and have jagged edges. The spore powder is also white, consists of small ovoid particles that form an incomplete network.
Season and habitat of the fungus
The described species is widespread in Northern Europe. Birch russula got their name for their growth in birch forests. In addition, mushrooms of this species can also be found in mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, where many birches grow. Birch russula love to grow in humid places, sometimes they are found in marshy areas, on sphagnum. The birch russula mushroom is widespread in Russia, Belarus, Great Britain, European countries, Ukraine, Scandinavia. Active fruiting begins in mid-summer and continues until the end of the first half of autumn.
Edibility
Birch russula (Russula betularum) belongs to the category of conditionally edible mushrooms, but some mycologists classify it as inedible. Fresh consumption of this type of mushroom can lead to mild gastrointestinal poisoning. True, this effect is caused by the use of the fruiting bodies of the fungus along with the upper film, which contains toxic substances. If you remove it before eating mushrooms, then there will be no poisoning.
Photo of the mushroom russula birch from the questions in recognition:
2016.11.23 g 
2017.11.30 Olga Alekseevna
