Russula atropurpurea

Taxobox
name = "Russula atropurpurea"
status = Common

---

image_width=250px
regnum = Fungi
divisio = Basidiomycota
classis = Agaricomycetes
ordo = Russulales
familia = Russulaceae
genus = "Russula"
species = "R. atropurpurea"
binomial = "Russula atropurpurea"
binomial_authority = Krombh. Britzelm
synonyms= "R. krombholzii" Krombh.
"R.undulata"mycomorphbox
name = Russula atropurpurea
whichGills = adnexed
capShape = convex
capShape2=flat
hymeniumType=gills
stipeCharacter= bare
sporePrintColor=white
ecologicalType=mycorrhizal
howEdible=edible

"Russula atropurpurea" is a member of the "Russula" genus, that have the common name of Brittlegills. It is dark vinaceous (wine-coloured) or purple; edible, and grows with deciduous , or occasionally coniferous trees. It is commonly called The Blackish Purple Russula, or The Purple Brittlegill.

Taxonomy

Initially described as "Agaricus atropurpureus" by German naturalist Julius von Krombholz in 1845, and placed in "Russula" by Britzelmayr in 1893, the binomial name of this mushroom "R.atropurpurea" (Krombh.) Britzelm is accepted as being incorrect, and mycologists cannot agree on a suitable replacement.cite book | author = Roger Phillips | year = 2006 | title = Mushrooms | publisher = Pan MacMillan | isbn = 0-330-44237-6|pages=p. 22]

Description

The cap is 4 - 10 cm (0.8-4 in) in diameter. It is dark reddish purple, with a dark; sometimes almost black centre. At first it is convex, but later flattens, and often has a shallow depression. It can also be lighter in colour, or mottled yellowish. The stem is firm, white, and turns grey with age. The closely set and fairly broad gills are adnexed to almost free, and pale cream, giving a spore print of the same colour. The flesh is white; with a fruity smell, similar to apples. It tastes moderately hot.

Similar species "R.brunneviolacea", and "R. romellii" both have darker spore prints.cite book | author = Thomas Laessoe | year = 1998 | title = Mushrooms (flexi bound) | Publisher = Dorling Kindersley | isbn = 0-7513-1070-0]

Distribution and Habitat

"Russula atropurpurea" appears in late summer and autumn. It is common in the northern temperate zones, Europe, Asia, and Eastern North America, and is mycorrhizal with oak ("Quercus"), cite book |author=David Arora |year=1986 |title=Mushrooms Demystified |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn=0-89815-169-4|pages=p. 85] with which it prefers to live. Favouring acid soil, it is occasionally found with beech ("Fagus"), or pine ("Pinus").

Edibility

This mushroom is said to be the mildest of the hot tasting "Russula" species. It is edible if cooked, although not recommended.

References