Russula aeruginea
Russula aeruginea, also known as the green brittlegill, grass-green russula, the tacky green russula, or the green russula, is an edible Russula mushroom. Widely distributed in northern temperate regions, it is usually found under birch, mostly in pine forests.
Taxonomy
The species was first described in Elias Magnus Fries's 1863 work Monographia Hymenomycetum Sueciae. The specific epithet aeruginea is derived from the Latin aeruginus, referring to the tarnished color of copper. It is commonly known variously as the "tacky green Russula", the "grass-green Russula", or the "green Russula".Description
The cap is flat when young, soon funnel shaped and weakly striped; somewhat sticky and shiny, pale green to light grey-green, more rarely olive green. It is often in diameter. The closely spaced gills are pale cream when young, later becoming light yellow when the spores mature. The stipe is white, occasionally with rust-coloured spots at the base, often rather short with longitudinal furrows. It measures long by thick. The flesh is white, brittle and without scent, with a mild taste.The spore print is cream-yellow. The spores are spherical to oval with ridges and warts on the surface, and measure 6–8 by 6–7 μm.
Similar species
The very poisonous death cap can have a similar appearance, especially from above.Green specimens of R. xerampelina are similar, but always smell of cooked shellfish. R. grisea and R. parazurea are also similar.