The sickener Russula emetica
poisonous
It has a shiny, peelable cap skin and soft flesh, and tastes hot.
View on the mapIdentification in 5 steps
The rosy russula has a rose-pink, matt velvety cap, a stem with a reddish flush and very firm flesh. It tastes slightly bitter, of pencil wood.
SeasonJuly to October
Spore printcream-coloured
FamilyRussulaceae
- Cap. The cap is 4 to 10 cm wide, rose pink to vermilion, and matt velvety. The cap skin cannot be peeled off.
- Underside. The gills are cream-coloured, often reddish at the edge.
- Stem, ring and volva. The stem is white with a reddish flush, and very firm. There is no ring and no volva.
- Smell and taste. It tastes of pencil wood and is slightly bitter.
- Flesh and colour change. The flesh is white and very hard.
Lookalikes
Tough-fleshed and not very tasty; blanch larger quantities.
Bare-toothed russula Russula vesca
edible
The cap skin recedes at the edge, and the flesh is mild.
View on the mapHabitat & Season
Beech woods, soils that are not too acidic. From lowland to mountain regions.
Host trees
Beech, rarely oak.
Season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
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.
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.
Safety
Never eat a mushroom you have not identified with certainty. For experienced foragers only: follow the restrictions, and if in doubt, do not eat it.
Advice for your country
Ireland
Poison centre:
National Poisons Information Centre (public line)(01) 809 2166
Emergency: 112 · 999
Germany
Poison centre:
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: Least concern
In the kitchen
In mixed dishes. Blanch, then cook thoroughly.
Not recommended.
- Never eat wild mushrooms raw, and always cook them for at least 15 minutes.
- Use only young, fresh, maggot-free and reliably identified specimens.
- Carry mushrooms in an airy basket, not in plastic bags, and prepare them the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Rosy russula: is it edible?
Only with restrictions. Tough-fleshed and not very tasty; blanch larger quantities. Blanch, then cook thoroughly.
Rosy russula: when and where does it grow?
The season in central Europe runs from July to October. Tree partner and habitat: Beech, rarely oak. Soil: Beech woods, soils that are not too acidic. Altitude: From lowland to mountain regions.
Rosy russula: what are the lookalikes?
The most important distinction is from The sickener (Russula emetica, poisonous): It has a shiny, peelable cap skin and soft flesh, and tastes hot. Other lookalikes: bare-toothed russula.
Related species
- Ochre brittlegill Russula ochroleuca
- Humpback brittlegill Russula caerulea
- Blackening brittlegill Russula nigricans
- Charcoal burner Russula cyanoxantha
- Bare-toothed Russula Russula vesca
- Green-cracking russula Russula virescens
Sources
- Harter Zinnober-Täubling (Wikipedia DE)
- GBIF: Russula rosea Pers.
- Index Fungorum Record 465253
- Rote-Liste-Zentrum: Großpilze Deutschlands (Dämmrich et al. 2016)
- ÖMG: Pilzschutzbestimmungen in Österreich (Stand 29.01.2021)
- RIS: Forstgesetz 1975 § 174
- DGfM: Giftpilze und Pilzvergiftungen
- DGfM: Giftnotrufe in Deutschland, Europa und der Schweiz
- Gesundheitsportal Österreich: Vergiftung durch Pilze, VIZ 01 406 43 43
Photo credits
- Photo: Szabi237 · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- The sickener: Photo: Jason Hollinger · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Bare-toothed russula: Photo: Irene Andersson (Mushroom Observer) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
No substitute for having your finds checked in person. No guarantee of accuracy. Updated: 17.10.2026.