The Sickener

Description:

A poisonous but still eaten fungus that makes people somewhat ill. The definitive feature is the red cap which is similar to other Russela. On this trip we had seen a squirrel eating another kind of mushroom and we thought it possible that a squirrel nibbled on parts of this mushroom as well.

Habitat:

This fungus was found in sphagnum moss under conifers in the montane region of Mount Robson, but can be found in mixed woods as well. A wet season, there was an abundance of fungus. The cap of the mushroom was moist to touch.

Notes:

Photo by J.Bergie, K. Van Katwyck, Dr. X. Chen Literature Cited: National Audobon Society. 1990. National Audobon Society Pocket Guide: Familiar Mushrooms. Random House Publishing. Toronto