Green Brittlegill

Green Brittlegill Russula aeruginea Fr. (illustrated 60% life size) Cap 4–9cm across, convex then flattening or depressed, margin often furrowed; grass-green, sometimes with yellowish or brownish tinges, without any violaceous tints, often with rusty spots, centre usually darker; smooth or radially veined; half peeling. Stem 40–80×7–20mm; white; fairly firm. Flesh white; taste mild to slightly hot. Gills almost free, usually forking; yellowish-buff. Spores 6–10×5–7µ, elliptical; rounded warts up to 0.6µ high, some joined by fine lines to form a very incomplete network with 0–2 meshes. Spore print cream (D–E). Cap surface hyphae with rectangular, not inflated, supporting cells; cystidia cylindrical to spindle-shaped, without septa. Habitat with birch; summer to early autumn. Common. Edible.