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    Crowded russula

    Russula densifolia Secr. ex Gillet · Russulaceae

    Also: Reddening russula

    Inedible

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    Identification in 5 steps

    Crowded russula
    Photo: Th. Kuhnigk · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Wikimedia Commons

    The crowded russula is a firm-fleshed brittlegill with closely spaced gills that turns grey to black with age. Its flesh first turns red and then grey-black.

    SeasonJuly to October
    Spore printwhite
    FamilyRussulaceae
    1. Cap. The cap is 5 to 12 cm wide, greyish white to grey or brownish black, and funnel-shaped.
    2. Underside. The gills are crowded and creamy white, later turning grey.
    3. Stem, ring and volva. The stem is short and white, later grey. There is no ring and no volva.
    4. Smell and taste. It smells musty.
    5. Flesh and colour change. The flesh turns red when cut, then grey-black.

    Lookalikes

    Hard flesh that is difficult to digest.

    Habitat & Season

    Various soils. From lowland to mountain regions.

    Host trees

    Birch, hornbeam, beech, oak, silver fir, spruce.

    Season

    possible good main season

    Mushroom regions with a daily forecast

    There are no records per region for this species yet. The country pages lead to all regions with a daily forecast.

    All mushroom regions →

    Safety

    Never eat a mushroom you have not identified with certainty. Not an edible mushroom: do not collect it for the kitchen.

    Advice for your country

    United Kingdom

    Poison centre:

    NHS 111 (England)111

    Emergency: 999 · 112

    Ireland

    Poison centre:

    National Poisons Information Centre (public line)(01) 809 2166

    Emergency: 112 · 999

    Germany

    Poison centre:

    Giftnotruf Berlin030 19240Giftinformationszentrum München089 19240GIZ-Nord Göttingen0551 19240

    Emergency: 112

    Mushroom advice: DGfM: find a mushroom expert. Certified mushroom experts of the German Mycological Society (DGfM).

    Collecting rules: Mushrooms that are not specially protected may be collected in small quantities for personal use unless a protected area or ban applies. Certain specially protected edible species (e.g. cep, chanterelle, birch bolete) may be collected in small quantities for personal use.

    Austria

    Poison centre:

    Vergiftungsinformationszentrale (VIZ)01 406 43 43

    Emergency: 112 · 144

    Mushroom advice: Austrian Mycological Society (ÖMG): mushroom advice. Mushroom advice by the Austrian Mycological Society or regional services such as municipal market offices.

    Collecting rules: At most 2 kg of mushrooms per person per day unless the forest owner has prohibited collecting; organised collecting events are prohibited. Additional state rules apply (collecting hours, closed seasons), e.g. Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg.

    Conservation and collecting rules

    Not specially protected.

    Salzburg: collecting inedible mushrooms is prohibited.

    Red List Germany: Least concern

    Why it is not edible

    Hard flesh that is difficult to digest, with a musty taste.

    Do not collect it for eating.

    Frequently asked questions

    Crowded russula: is it edible?

    No, it is considered inedible. Hard flesh that is difficult to digest.

    Crowded russula: when and where does it grow?

    The season in central Europe runs from July to October. Tree partner and habitat: Birch, hornbeam, beech, oak, silver fir, spruce. Soil: Various soils. Altitude: From lowland to mountain regions.

    Crowded russula: what are the lookalikes?

    The most important distinction is from Russula albonigra (inedible): Its flesh turns black at once, and it tastes bitter, like menthol. Other lookalikes: blackening brittlegill.

    Related species

    Open the mushroom map Mushroom trainer: test yourself

    Sources

    Photo credits

    No substitute for having your finds checked in person. No guarantee of accuracy. Updated: 17.10.2026.

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