Russula vesca

Taxobox
color = lightblue
name = "Russula vesca"
status = secure

---

image_width = 250px
regnum = Fungi
divisio = Basidiomycota
classis = Homobasidiomycetae
subclassis = Hymenomycetes
ordo = Russulales
familia = Russulaceae
genus = "Russula"
species = "R. vesca"
binomial = "Russula vesca"
binomial_authority = Fr.mycomorphbox
name = Russula vesca
whichGills = free
capShape = convex
capShape2 = flat
hymeniumType=gills
stipeCharacter= bare
ecologicalType=mycorrhizal
sporePrintColor=white
howEdible=edible

"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 (1794-1878). The specific epithet is the feminine of the Latin adjective "vescus" "edible".cite book | author = Nilson S & Persson O | year = 1977 | title = Fungi of Northern Europe 2: Gill-Fungi | publisher = Penguin|isbn=0-14-063006-6|pages=p. 120]

Description

The skin of the cap typically does not reach the margins (resulting in the common names). 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 (Ferrous sulfate).cite book | author = Roger Phillips | year = 2006 | title = Mushrooms | publisher = Pan MacMillan | isbn = 0-330-44237-6] 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.cite book |author=David Arora |year=1986 |title=Mushrooms Demystified |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn=0-89815-169-4]

Edibility

"Russula vesca" is edible and good, with a mild nutty flavour. However, it is poisonous in the raw state, and as such must be cooked to release the toxins that are contained within the mushroom. This does not make it a poisonous fungus: it is treated in the same way as kidney beans are. On the other hand, in Russia it is considered entirely edible even in the raw state.

References

* "Danske storsvampe. Basidiesvampe" [a key to Danish basidiomycetes] J.H. Petersen and J. Vesterholt eds. Gyldendal. Viborg, Denmark, 1990. ISBN 87-01-09932-9