Russula emetica

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Russula emetica
Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi Division: Basidiomycota Class: Homobasidiomycetae Subclass: Hymenomycetes Order: Russulales Family: Russulaceae Genus: Russula Species: R. emetica
Binomial name
Russula emetica (Schaeff.: Fr.) Pers.

Russula emetica, commonly known as The Sickener, Emetic russula or Vomiting russula, is a basidiomycete mushroom of the genus Russula.

Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 External links 4 References

[edit] Description

The cap is a bright red, 3-10 cm wide, initially convex, then later flat, or depressed, sticky. The taste is sharp, but this mushroom should not be eaten since it is an emetic (it induces vomiting).The spore print is white, the gills narrowly spaced. The stipe is 4-10 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, cylindrical and white.

[edit] Distribution and habitat

Grows in coniferous and deciduous forest, where it (at least in Northwest Europe and the United States) is very common. Sitings in Australia refer to the similarly coloured Russula persanguinea.

[edit] External links

• [http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/sep2004.html Tom Volk's page on Russula emetica

[edit] References

• "Danske storsvampe. Basidiesvampe" [a key to Danish basidiomycetes] J.H. Petersen and J. Vesterholt eds. Gyldendal. Viborg, Denmark, 1990. ISBN 87-01-09932-9