Russula olivacea (Schaeff. ex Secr.) Fr. Rosastieger Ledertäubling, Russule olivâtre, Olive Brittlegill. Cap 6–16cm across, almost globose at first, later flattened or slightly depressed, often irregular, varying considerably in colour from straw, pale ochre, shades of olive or brown to dull purple or purplish-red, firm or hard, thick-fleshed, peeling up to one-third only; margin inrolled at first. Stem 50–100 x 15–40mm, white, usually tinged rose or entirely so, yellowing slightly or browning around base, fairly hard. Flesh white, taste mild, nutty. Gills adnexed, deep buffy straw, forking and with cross connections near stem. Spore print ochre (G–H). Spores ovoid with warts up to 1.5µ high, not or occasionally joined by lines, 8–11 x 7–9µ. Cap cystidia absent, hyphae with rectangular, barrel- or ampoule-shaped cells, the terminal one sometimes strongly inflated. Phenol solution turns stem livid purple. Habitat under beech. Season summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible. (Never eat any mushroom until you are certain it is edible as many are poisonous and some are deadly poisonous) Distribution, America and Europe. |