Russula fellea

Russula fellea
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Russulales
Family:	Russulaceae
Genus:	Russula
Species:	R. fellea
Binomial name
Russula fellea (Fr.) Fr.

Russula fellea Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is convex or flat
	Hymenium is adnexed
	Stipe is bare
	Spore print is white
	Edibility is inedible

The mushroom Russula fellea goes by the common name of the geranium-scented russula, or bitter russula and is a member of the genus Russula, all of which are commonly known as brittlegills. It is straw or honey coloured and in Britain grows in beech woods during autumn. It is inedible.

Taxonomy

It was first described and named in 1821 by the Swedish mycologist

The cap is usually 4–9 cm wide, and convex, flattening later, and often with a broad central boss (umbo). It is sometimes furrowed at the margin when mature. The similarly coloured, but paler stipe is firm and stout, and is 2–6 cm high by 1–2 cm wide. The gills are adnexed, and are the same colour as the stem, giving a spore print that is white to pale cream. The flesh is white, and does not change colour on cutting. It tastes hot,^[1] and often has a bitter tang. The smell is variously reported to resemble geraniums,^[1] or apple sauce.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Russula fellea appears in autumn, and is found with beech (