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    Russet brittlegill

    Russula mustelina Fr. · Russulaceae

    ✓ EdibleRisk of confusion: low

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    Identification in 5 steps

    Russet brittlegill
    Photo: Irene Andersson (irenea) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
    Russet brittlegill
    Photo: Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    The russet brittlegill is a large, thick-fleshed brittlegill with a yellow-brown to red-brown cap, creamy white gills and a mild taste. It grows in spruce woods of the low mountain ranges over siliceous rock.

    SeasonJuly to October
    Spore printcream-coloured
    FamilyRussulaceae
    1. Cap. The cap is 6 to 15 cm wide, yellow-brown to red-brown like weasel fur, and firm.
    2. Underside. The gills are creamy white.
    3. Stem, ring and volva. The stem is white with brownish stains, and firm. There is no ring and no volva.
    4. Smell and taste. It tastes mild. Taste it only after ruling out a deadly amanita: chew a small piece and spit it out.
    5. Flesh and colour change. The flesh is white and very hard.

    Lookalikes

    It is on the near-threatened list; collect with care.

    Habitat & Season

    Acidic soils over siliceous rock. Low mountain ranges and mountain regions.

    Host trees

    Spruce.

    Season

    possible good main season

    Very rare below 500 m above sea level.

    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.

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    Chance near you

    How good are the chances of finding this species where you are right now? We calculate it from weather, soil moisture, altitude and forest at your location.

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    Safety

    Never eat a mushroom you have not identified with certainty. Only eat mushrooms you have identified with certainty, and always cook them thoroughly.

    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.

    No species-specific rule known.

    Red List Germany: Near threatened

    In the kitchen

    Fried. Cook thoroughly.

    Possible. Near-threatened list; spare it.

    Frequently asked questions

    Russet brittlegill: is it edible?

    Yes, it is considered an edible mushroom. Cook thoroughly. It is on the near-threatened list; collect with care.

    Russet brittlegill: when and where does it grow?

    The season in central Europe runs from July to October. Very rare below 500 m above sea level. Tree partner and habitat: Spruce. Soil: Acidic soils over siliceous rock. Altitude: Low mountain ranges and mountain regions.

    Russet brittlegill: what are the lookalikes?

    The most important distinction is from Nutty brittlegill (Russula integra, edible): It has softer cap flesh and darker gills. Other lookalikes: bare-toothed russula.

    Related species

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    Sources

    Photo credits

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

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