Green-red russula (Russula alutacea)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
- Order: Russulales
- Family: Russulaceae (Russula)
- Genus: Russula (Russula)
- Species: Russula alutacea (Green-red russula)
- Other names for the mushroom:
- Russula kidney
Other name:
Russula Laikova
The green-red russula or in Latin Russula alutacea is a mushroom that is included in the list of the Russula genus of the Russulaceae family.
Description of russula green-red
The cap of such a mushroom reaches no more than 20 cm in diameter. At first, it has a hemispherical shape, but then opens up to a depressed and flat, while it looks fleshy, with a completely even, but sometimes lined edge. The color of the cap ranges from purple-red to red-brown.
One of the main distinguishing features of russula is, first of all, a rather thick, branched, cream-colored plate (in older ones - buffy-light) with solid tips. The same plate of a green-red russula looks always adherent to the leg.
The leg (the size of which ranges from 5 - 10 cm x 1.3 - 3 cm) has a cylindrical shape, white (sometimes pinkish or yellowish tint is possible), and smooth to the touch, with cotton pulp.
Spore powder of green-red russula, buffy. The spores have a spherical and convex shape, which is covered with peculiar warts (tweezers) and an inconspicuous mesh pattern. Spores are amyloid, reaching 8-11 microns x 7-9 microns.
The flesh of this russula is completely white, but under the skin of the cap it can be with a yellowish tinge. The color of the pulp does not change when the air humidity changes. It has no special smell or taste, it looks dense.
The mushroom is edible and belongs to the third category. It is consumed salted or boiled.
Distribution and ecology
The green-red russula or Russula alutacea grows in small groups or singly on the ground in deciduous forests (birch groves, forests with an admixture of oak and maple) from early July to late September. Popular both in Eurasia and in North America.