Sickener Mushroom

Description:

The sticky cap is 3–10 cm (1¼–4 in) wide and a bright scarlet or cherry red in colour with finely ridged margins. The cuticle is readily peeled from the cap. It is initially convex, then later flat, or depressed. The brittle flesh is white and the taste is very sharp and peppery. The spore print is white, as are the narrowly spaced gills. The stipe is up to 7 cm (3 in) long and 1 cm (½ in) wide, cylindrical and white. The fungus has an unusual fruity smell. It is one of many red-coloured species of Russula; the related Beechwood Sickener (R. nobilis) is found under beech in Europe. Many, such as the paler R. sanguinaria, are inedible, though R. aurea is edible and good: it has a yellow stem, gills and flesh under its red cap. Another inedible species, R. fragilis has notched gills, and its stalk stains blue with naphthol. The red pigments of this and other russulas are water soluble to some degree, and fruiting bodies will often bleach or fade with rain or sunlight. Spores are roughly spherical, with dimensions of 8–10 µm; they are hyaline, and covered with small spines (echinulate).

Habitat:

The Sickener may be found in wet places in coniferous woodlands in Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America, and can be very common. There is some doubt over the extent of its range in North America, as some sightings refer to the related Russula silvicola; initially the name "Russula emetica" was often applied to any red-capped white russula encountered.

Notes:

Found along trail leading to Clingmans Dome.