The sickener: a bright scarlet to cherry-red brittlegill with white gills and stem and a very sharp, peppery taste. It is mycorrhizal, mainly with conifers, and causes gastrointestinal poisoning.
Poisonous. Eating it causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps, starting 30 minutes to 3 hours after a meal and usually resolving on their own. The toxins are unidentified (possibly sesquiterpenes). It was historically eaten in Eastern Europe after parboiling or pickling, but it is not recommended.
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Habitat
On the ground in damp woodland, mycorrhizal mainly with conifers, especially pines; often in sphagnum moss near bogs. Occasionally on humus or very rotten wood.
Distribution
Across the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe (locally very common), North Africa and Asia. North American records are uncertain: the name was once applied to any red-capped white Russula, and some reports may be the related R. silvicola. Australian reports are now referred to R. persanguinea.
Characteristics
Cap: 2.5–10 cm wide, convex becoming flat, bright scarlet to cherry red, ageing pink or orange with white blotches; cuticle peels almost to the centre. Gills: Closely spaced, white to creamy-white, often forked near the margin. Stem: 4.5–10.5 cm long, 0.7–2.4 cm thick, white, dry, smooth, stuffed or partly hollow; no ring. Flesh: White; very sharp, peppery taste; slightly fruity smell. Spore print: White to yellowish-white. Spores: 8.8–11.0 × 6.6–8 µm, warted with a partial network, amyloid.
