Russula aurata
Encyclopedia
Russula aurea, commonly known as the gilded brittlegill, is an uncommon species of mushroom
found in deciduous woodland in Europe in summer and early autumn. Unlike many red-capped members of the genus, it is edible
and mild-tasting.
, and placed by the father of mycology Elias Magnus Fries
into the genus Russula
in 1838. However, the binomial name Russula aurea had been coined by Christian Hendrik Persoon
in 1796 and takes precedence. Both specific epithets are derived from the Latin
aurum "gold", hence "golden".
is 4–9 cm (1.6–3.6 in) wide and a blood- or orange-red in colour with ridged margins. Sticky when wet, it is initially convex, then later flat, or depressed; it is able to be peeled half-way. The widely spaced gills are ochre with yellow edges, and adnexed or free. The stipe
is up to 3–8 cm (1.4–3.2 in) long and 1–2.5 cm (0.4–1 in) wide, cylindrical and white or cream to golden-yellow. The brittle flesh
is yellow and the taste mild. The spore print
is ochre, the warty spores are oval or round and measure 7.5–9 × 6–8 μm
.
), the sickener (R. emetica
), and the beechwood sickener (R. nobilis).
It occurs under deciduous
trees in summer and early autumn, in particular beech
, oak
and hazel
.
.
Mushroom
A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus; hence the word "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that...
found in deciduous woodland in Europe in summer and early autumn. Unlike many red-capped members of the genus, it is edible
Edible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
and mild-tasting.
Taxonomy
It was known for many years as Russula aurata originally published in 1801 as Agaricus auratus by the English naturalist William WitheringWilliam Withering
William Withering was an English botanist, geologist, chemist, physician and the discoverer of digitalis.-Introduction:...
, and placed by the father of mycology Elias Magnus Fries
Elias Magnus Fries
-External links:*, Authors of fungal names, Mushroom, the Journal of Wild Mushrooming.*...
into the genus Russula
Russula
Around 750 worldwide species of mycorrhizal mushrooms compose the genus Russula. They are typically common, fairly large, and brightly colored - making them one of the most recognizable genera among mycologists and mushroom collectors...
in 1838. However, the binomial name Russula aurea had been coined by Christian Hendrik Persoon
Christian Hendrik Persoon
Christiaan Hendrik Persoon was a mycologist who made additions to Linnaeus' mushroom taxonomy.-Early life:...
in 1796 and takes precedence. Both specific epithets are derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
aurum "gold", hence "golden".
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
is 4–9 cm (1.6–3.6 in) wide and a blood- or orange-red in colour with ridged margins. Sticky when wet, it is initially convex, then later flat, or depressed; it is able to be peeled half-way. The widely spaced gills are ochre with yellow edges, and adnexed or free. The stipe
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is up to 3–8 cm (1.4–3.2 in) long and 1–2.5 cm (0.4–1 in) wide, cylindrical and white or cream to golden-yellow. The brittle flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
is yellow and the taste mild. The spore print
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
is ochre, the warty spores are oval or round and measure 7.5–9 × 6–8 μm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
.
Similar species
The overall yellow tone of Russula aurea distinguishes it from the peppery and inedible red-capped Russulas, such as the bloody brittlegill (R. sanguinariaRussula sanguinaria
Russula sanguinaria, commonly known as the bloody brittlegill, is a strikingly coloured mushroom, a member of the Russula genus, which has the common name of brittlegills. It is bright blood-red, inedible, and grows in association with coniferous trees...
), the sickener (R. emetica
Russula emetica
Russula emetica, commonly known as the sickener, is a basidiomycete mushroom of the genus Russula, one of many species with a predominantly red-coloured cap and white gills and stalk. It gets its common name from its inedibility, as it causes vomiting and diarrhea when consumed...
), and the beechwood sickener (R. nobilis).
Distribution and habitat
Russula aurea is found in Europe and is uncommon in Britain. It has been recorded as far east as the Black Sea region of eastern Turkey.It occurs under deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
trees in summer and early autumn, in particular beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
, oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
and hazel
Hazel
The hazels are a genus of deciduous trees and large shrubs native to the temperate northern hemisphere. The genus is usually placed in the birch family Betulaceae, though some botanists split the hazels into a separate family Corylaceae.They have simple, rounded leaves with double-serrate margins...
.
Edibility
Unlike many other red-capped members of the genus, Russula aurea is mild-tasting and edibleEdible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
.
External links
- Medicinal Mushrooms description and medicinal properties
- Roger's Mushrooms description