Russula aurea

taxobox
name = "Russula aurea"


image_width = 220px
regnum = Fungi
subregnum = Dikarya
phylum = Basidiomycota
subphylum = Agaricomycotina
classis = Agaricomycetes
ordo = Russulales
ordo = Russulales
familia = Russulaceae
genus = "Russula"
species = "R. aurata"
binomial = "Russula aurea"
binomial_authority = Pers.
synonyms = "Russula aurata"

"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.

Taxonomy

It was known for many years as "Russula aurata" originally published in 1801 as "Agaricus auratus" by the English naturalist William Withering, 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 [Persoon, "Observationes mycologicae, Seu descriptiones tam novorum, quam notabilium fungorum" (1796) vol. I:101 .] and takes precedence. Both specific epithets are derived from the Latin "aurum" "gold", hence "golden". [cite book|author = Simpson DP| title = Cassell's Latin Dictionary | publisher = Cassell Ltd.| date = 1979|edition = 5|location = London|pages = 883| isbn=0-304-52257-0]

Description

The cap 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.cite book | author = Roger Phillips | year = 2006 | title = Mushrooms | publisher = Pan MacMillan | isbn = 0-330-44237-6|pages=p. 19]

Its overall yellow tone distinguishes it from the peppery and inedible red-capped Russulas, such as the bloody brittlegill ("R. sanguinaria"), the sickener ("R. emetica"), and the beechwood sickener ("R. nobilis").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. 118]

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. [cite journal |author=Yagiz D, Afyon A, Konuk M, Helfer S|year=2006|title=Contributions to the Macrofungi of Bolu and Düzce Provinces, Turkey |journal=Mycotaxon |volume=95 |pages=331-34 |id= |url=http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/mycotaxon/56.pdf|format=PDF |accessdate=2008-08-10] [cite journal |author=Sesli E|year=2007|title=Checklist of the Turkish ascomycota andbasidiomycota collected from the Black Sea region |journal=Mycotaxon |volume=99 |pages=71-74 |id= |url=http://mycotaxon.com/resources/checklists/sesliv99-checklist.pdf|format=PDF |accessdate=2008-08-10]

It occurs under deciduous trees in summer and early autumn, in particular beech, oak and hazel.

Edibility

Unlike many other red-capped members of the genus, "Russula aurea" is mild-tasting and edible.

References