About this fungus
Copper Brittlegill is a fungus in the Russulaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A robust orange to copper-red brittlegill of conifer woods whose white flesh and stem slowly turn grey after damage and with age.
What to check
Look for a dry to slightly sticky orange cap, pale cream to ochre brittle gills, an ochre spore print, and progressive greying in the flesh, gills and stem. There is no ring or volva. The colour change may take time, so examine naturally damaged or aged areas.
Variation
Caps range from yellow-orange and copper to brick-red or tawny, often fading unevenly. Greying is usually stronger in older or bruised tissue and may become nearly black in very old mushrooms.
Lookalikes
Several orange-red Russulas grow with conifers. Russula paludosa generally stays paler in the flesh rather than progressively greying, but field separation can remain uncertain without spores and microscopy.
Habitat and range
Mycorrhizal with conifers, particularly pine and spruce, on woodland soil including damp or boggy ground across northern temperate regions.
Food safety
Edible.
Use this profile to learn what to examine and compare, not as proof that a mushroom is safe to eat. Check the whole specimen and every important lookalike before reaching an identification.
Photographs
Attribution pending