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Russula fellea, commonly known as the Geranium Russula or Bitter Russula, is a medium-sized, brittle mushroom characterized by its yellowish-ochre cap, white to yellowish stem, and a distinctive strong, unpleasant odor often described as resembling geraniums or apple sauce. Its taste is acrid and peppery, making it inedible.
How to Identify
- Cap
- The cap is typically 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) in diameter, convex when young, flattening with age, often with a slightly depressed center. The color ranges from pale yellow to ochre-yellow, sometimes with a reddish-brown tint in the center. The surface is smooth, dry, and often sticky or greasy when moist. The margin is usually smooth, sometimes slightly striate with age.
- Gills
- The gills are adnate to slightly decurrent, crowded, and brittle. They are initially white, becoming cream to pale ochre with age, sometimes with rusty spots. They are often forked near the stem.
- Stem
- The stem is 4-8 cm (1.5-3 inches) long and 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches) thick, cylindrical or slightly tapering towards the base. It is white to yellowish, often concolorous with the cap, and smooth. It is solid when young, becoming somewhat hollow or chambered with age. It is very brittle.
- Flesh
- The flesh is white, firm, and brittle. It does not change color when cut or bruised. It has a strong, distinctive odor, often described as geranium-like, apple sauce, or even slightly rancid. The taste is very acrid and peppery.
- Fruiting body
- The fruiting body is a typical agaric (gilled mushroom) with a cap, gills, and a central stem. It is brittle and breaks easily.
- Habitat
- Russula fellea is a mycorrhizal fungus, forming symbiotic relationships with trees. It is most commonly found growing on the ground in deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly under beech (Fagus) trees, but also occasionally with oak (Quercus) and birch (Betula).
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, dry, sometimes sticky when moist
- Growth Form: Solitary to scattered
- Spore Print: Cream to pale ochre
- Body color: Yellowish-ochre cap, white to yellowish stem
- Odor: Geranium-like, apple sauce-like, or slightly rancid
- Flesh bruises: Does not bruise
- Height: 4-8 cm
- Cap Diameter: 5-10 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Mycorrhizal
Toxic
Moderate ToxicityRussula fellea is considered inedible due to its intensely acrid and peppery taste. While not deadly poisonous, consumption can cause gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially if consumed in significant quantities. It is not recommended for consumption under any circumstances.
Quick Check
- Odor: Strong, distinctive, geranium-like or apple sauce-like
- Fruiting: Late summer to autumn
- Substrate: Terrestrial, mycorrhizal with deciduous trees, especially beech
Where to Find
Europe
Widespread across temperate regions of Europe, particularly common in beech forests.
North America
Reported in parts of North America, though less common than in Europe, often associated with similar host trees.
Finding Tips
Host Trees
Focus your search in woodlands dominated by beech trees. While it can occur with oak and birch, beech is its primary associate.
Season
Look for it during late summer and autumn, typically from August to October, depending on local climate conditions.
Odor Test
The distinctive geranium or apple sauce-like odor is a key identification feature. Gently crush a piece of the cap or stem to release the scent.
Taste Test (Caution!)
While not recommended for consumption, a tiny fragment of the cap (chewed and immediately spit out) will reveal its intensely acrid and peppery taste, which is diagnostic for this species and many other inedible Russulas. Do NOT swallow.
Similar Species
Beechwood Sickener
Russula
Also known as: Russula nobilis
Yellow Swamp Russula
Russula
Also known as: Russula claroflava
Ochre Brittlegill
Russula
Also known as: Russula ochroleuca
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Russulales
- Family
- Russulaceae
- Genus
- Russula
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