Crusty Russula

Appearance

The fruit bodies have caps that are initially convex before flattening out in age, often developing a central depression, and measure 5–12.5 cm in diameter. In maturity, the dry cap surface breaks up into greenish patches around the margin. The margin of the cap has radial grooves that match the gills on the underside. The closely spaced gills are white, cream, or pale yellow in color, and have an adnate attachment to the stem. Measuring 3–9 cm long by 1.2–2.5 cm thick, the stem is white to pale yellow, and becomes hollow in age. The flesh is hard and compact, and whitish. The spore print is pale buff, and the spores are elliptic in shape, and somewhat warted with a few fine interconnecting lines. They are hyaline, amyloid, and measure 6–9 by 5.5–7 µm.

An edible mushroom, "R. crustosa" has no distinguishing odor, and a taste ranging from mild to slightly acrid. Other greenish Russulas, including "R. subgraminicolor", "R. aeruginea", and "R. variata", can be most readily distinguishing by their non-cracking cap surfaces.

Naming

"Russula crustosa" is commonly mistaken for "Russula virescens", a more desirable edible mushroom that features greenish patches on its cap surface. The latter species has flesh that breaks apart more readily, and a white spore print.

Distribution

"Russula crustosa" is a mycorrhizal fungus and associated with broadleaf trees, particularly oak and hickory. The fruit bodies grow on the ground in mixed forests singly, scattered, or in groups. Fruiting occurs between June and December. The pleasing fungus beetle species "Tritoma angulata" is known to feed on the fruit bodies.

In North America, the mushroom is common, and widespread in the southeastern United States. In Asia, "Russula crustosa" is found in China, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Habitat

"Russula crustosa" is a mycorrhizal fungus and associated with broadleaf trees, particularly oak and hickory. The fruit bodies grow on the ground in mixed forests singly, scattered, or in groups. Fruiting occurs between June and December. The pleasing fungus beetle species "Tritoma angulata" is known to feed on the fruit bodies.

In North America, the mushroom is common, and widespread in the southeastern United States. In Asia, "Russula crustosa" is found in China, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.