Russula claroflava
Species of fungus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Russula claroflava, commonly known as the yellow russula,[1] yellow swamp russula or yellow swamp brittlegill, is a basidiomycete mushroom of the genus Russula. It has a yellow cap, white gills and stipe and bruises grey.
| Russula claroflava | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Russulales |
| Family: | Russulaceae |
| Genus: | Russula |
| Species: | R. claroflava |
| Binomial name | |
| Russula claroflava Grove (1888) | |
| Russula claroflava | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex |
 | Hymenium is free |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is ochre |
 | Ecology is mycorrhizal |
 | Edibility is choice |
The species is found in wet places under birch and aspen woodlands across Europe and North America. It is mild-tasting and regarded as a good edible mushroom.
Taxonomy
It was described in 1888 by William Bywater Grove, based on a specimen from Sutton Park in the English Midlands.[2] Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin clarus 'bright' or 'clear', and flava 'light yellow'.[3]
Description
This medium-sized member of the genus Russula has a cap that is an egg-yolk yellow. Measuring 4–12 cm (1.5–4.5 in) in diameter,[1] it is slightly sticky when moist,[4] and leaves and other debris often stick to it. There is usually a slight depression in the centre of mature specimens, with the margin becoming furrowed. The cap is half peeling. The stem is 3–8 cm long,[1] white, fairly firm, straight and 1–2 cm thick. Its gills are pale ochre, and are adnexed to almost free. All parts turn dark grey on aging or bruising.[4] The smell is fruity and the spore print is pale ochre, and the oval warty spores average 9.5 x 8 μm.[5]
Similar species
The edible but acrid Russula ochroleuca resembles this species, but has a duller yellow cap.[1] R. lutea is also similar.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Russula claroflava appears in summer and autumn, usually with birch (Betula), or aspen (Populus), on heaths and moors, preferring damp places near ponds or lakes, often occurring in sphagnum. It is occasionally found in drier places. It occurs in Britain,[5] across northern Europe, and throughout North America.