Russula foetens

Description

The Stinking Brittlegill, scientifically known as Russula foetens, is a distinct mushroom commonly encountered in deciduous and coniferous forests. Its appearance evolves as it grows: the slimy hemispherical cap of its youth transforms into a convex shape with hues ranging from honey yellow to ochre brown, reaching up to 5.91 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Pale cream gills and spores are housed within, while its sturdy stem presents itself in white or mottled yellow-brown tones. This mushroom emits a progressively offensive odor as it matures, starting with an acrid scent in its youth and transitioning to a fishy smell. Despite its intriguing features, it is deemed inedible and potentially toxic.

In research, extracts from Russula foetens have displayed potential antitumor effects, curbing the growth of specific cancers in mice. The Stinking Brittlegill's appearance and characteristics make it distinguishable from other species, such as the red-stemmed Crab Brittlegill. Widely distributed across Europe, including the British Isles and Scandinavia, this mushroom thrives in diverse woodlands, both broadleaf and coniferous. Although considered unsafe for consumption, certain cultures, such as in Russia, employ a preservation method involving soaking to produce delectable pickled mushrooms from the Stinking Brittlegill and its kin.

Common names: Stinking Brittlegill, German (Stinktäubling), Japan (クサハツ).

Mushroom Identification

1. Cap

   1.97 to 5.91 inches (5 to 15 cm) cm diameter, at the first firm, becoming fragile, at first nearly globose, expanding and becoming plane to slightly depressed, yellowish or dingy ochraceous, glabrous, viscid, pellicle separable part way to the disk, margin widely and coarsely tuberculate-striate.

2. Flesh

   Thin, rather fragile, dingy white, yellowish under the pellicle, taste acrid, odor strong, resembling bitter almonds, then fetid.

3. Gills

   Adnexed, rather close, broad, at first whitish, becoming yellowish with age and dingy when bruised, exuding drops of water when young, some forked.

4. Stem

   1.97 to 4.72 inches (5 to 12 cm) high, 0.59 to 1.57 inches (1.5 to 4 cm) thick, equal or slightly tapering downwards, veined, white or dingy brown in age or when bruised, stuffed, becoming hollow.

5. Spores

   Hyaline, globose to subglobose, 8-10 x 7-9 µm, ornamented with warts.

6. Spore Print

   Pale yellow.

7. Odor and Taste

   Disgustingly sweetish and unpleasant, reminiscent of hay or burnt horn. In old age, it takes on a repugnant scent akin to that of rotten fish. Generally extremely hot, with a peppery intensity that can lead to nausea. The stem meat ranges from mild to slightly spicy, developing after approximately 30 seconds. The lamellae are immediately very sharp in flavor.

8. Habitat

   Found in mixed forests, primarily on deciduous trees such as beech, birch, and oak, and rarely on conifers. It forms a symbiotic relationship with fungi and is typically observed from early summer to autumn.

9. Chemical Test

   Flesh salmon-pink with FeSO4.

Look-Alikes

1. Russula grata

   Usually of smaller stature but otherwise bearing a strong resemblance to Russula foetens, it emits a significantly more pleasing aroma reminiscent of bitter almonds.

2. Russula illota

   Sometimes regarded as a subspecies of Russula grata by certain experts, shares analogous traits in terms of its look, habitat, and seasonal occurrence.

History

The Stinking Brittlegill was documented in 1796 by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon, who established its currently accepted scientific identification as Russula foetens.

The term "Russula," denoting the genus, signifies a red or reddish hue. Many brittlegills indeed feature red caps, although many others do not. Additionally, some of those usually red-capped species can manifest in a variety of alternative colors.

The specific term "foetens" pertains to its foul odor (also spelled as "foetid" or "fetid").

Synonyms and Varieties

• Agaricus piperatus Bulliard (1786), Herbier de la France, 7, tab. 292

• Agaricus bulliardii J.F. Gmelin (1792), Systema naturae, Edn 13, 2, p. 1413

• Agaricus fastidiosus Persoon (1795), in Usteri, Annalen der botanik, 15, p. 9

• Agaricus foetens (Persoon) Persoon (1801), Synopsis methodica fungorum, p. 443

• Agaricus incrassatus Sowerby (1814), Coloured figures of English fungi or mushrooms, tab. 415

• Agaricus piperatus var. ß foetidusSaint-Amans (1821), Flore agenaise, p. 562

Video

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