- Russula claroflava
Taxobox
color = lightblue
name = "Russula claroflava"
status = secure
image_width=250px
regnum = Fungi
divisio =Basidiomycota
classis =Agaricomycetes
ordo =Russulales
familia =Russulaceae
genus = "Russula "
species = "R. claroflava"
binomial = "Russula claroflava"
binomial_authority = Grovemycomorphbox
name = Russula claroflava
whichGills = free
capShape = convex
hymeniumType=gills
stipeCharacter= bare
ecologicalType=mycorrhizal
sporePrintColor=white
howEdible=edible"Russula claroflava", commonly known as the yellow swamp russula or yellow swamp brittlegill, is a
basidiomycete mushroom of the genus "Russula ". It is found in wet places under birch and aspen woodlands across Europe and North America. It has a yellow cap, white gills and stipe and bruises grey. It is mild-tasting and regarded as good to eat.Taxonomy
It was described in 1888 by William Bywater Grove. Its specific epithet is derived from the
Latin "clarus" 'bright' or 'clear', and "flava" 'light yellow'. [cite book | author = Nilson S & Persson O | year = 1977 | title = Fungi of Northern Europe 2: Gill-Fungi | publisher = Penguin|isbn=0-14-063006-6|pages=p. 114]Description
This medium sized member of the genus "
Russula " has a cap that is a strikingly beautiful egg-yolk yellow. Measuring 4-10 cm (1.5-4 in) in diameter, it is slightly sticky, and leaves and other debris often stick to it. There is usually a slight depression in the centre of mature specimens, with the margin becoming furrowed. The cap is half peeling. The 4-10 cm (1.5-4 in) high stem is white, fairly firm, straight and 1-2 cm thick. Itsgills are pale ochre, and are adnexed to almost free. All parts turn dark grey on aging or bruising. The smell is fruity and thespore print is pale ochre, and the oval warty spores average 9.5 x 8 μm.cite book | author = Phillips R | year = 2006 | title = Mushrooms |p. 40 | publisher = Pan MacMillan|location=London | isbn = 0-330-44237-6] The edible but acrid "Russula ochroleuca " resembles this species, but has a duller yellow cap.cite book |last=Arora |first=David |year=1986|title=Mushrooms demystified: a comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi |edition=2nd ed. |location=Berkeley |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn=0-89815-169-4| pages=p. 92]Distribution and habitat
"Russula claroflava" appears in summer and autumn, usually with birch ("
Betula "), or aspen ("Populus "), on heaths and moors, preferring damp places near ponds or lakes, often occurring insphagnum . It is occasionally found in drier places. It occurs in Britain, across northern Europe, and throughout North America.Edibility
This mushroom is edible and good, with a mild taste, both in Europe and North America.
References
*Marcel Bon, "The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North Western Europe".
*Courtecuisse and Duhem, "Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe".
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.