Russula vesca


Russula vesca, known by the common names of bare-toothed Russula or the flirt, is a basidiomycete mushroom of the genus Russula.

Taxonomy

Russula vesca was described, and named by the eminent Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries. The specific epithet is the feminine of the Latin adjective vescus, meaning "edible".

Description

The skin of the cap typically does not reach the margins. The cap is 5–10 cm wide, flat, convex, or with slightly depressed centre, weakly sticky, colour brownish to dark brick-red. Taste mild. Gills close apart, white. The stipe narrows toward the base, 2–7 cm long, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, white. It turns deep salmon when rubbed with iron salts. The spore print is white.

Distribution and habitat

Russula vesca appears in summer or autumn, and grows primarily in deciduous forests in Europe, and North America.

Edibility

Russula vesca is considered edible and good, with a mild nutty flavour. In some countries, including Russia, Ukraine and Finland it is considered entirely edible even in the raw state.