# Camembert Brittlegill (*russula amoenolens*)

The Camembert Brittlegill is a special mushroom that looks like a little cheese wheel! Kids love to spot these colorful fungi growing in the forest.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests, especially under trees and in damp areas.
- **Also known as:** Cheese Mushroom, Forest Brittlegill, Mushroom Camembert

![Camembert Brittlegill](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2009-12-12_Russula_amoenolens_Romagn_69455.jpg&width=800)

Photo: This image was created by user Richard Sullivan (enchplant) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this use, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-12-12_Russula_amoenolens_Romagn_69455.jpg)

## Appearance

The Camembert Brittlegill has a creamy grey-brown to olive cap, often darker in the middle, resembling an aged Camembert cheese. Its sturdy white stem and gills provide a striking contrast, making it easy to spot against forest litter.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Russulales
- **Family:** Russulaceae
- **Genus:** Russula

## Interesting facts

- It's part of a huge fungi family with over 750 species worldwide!
- Its scientific name 'amoenolens' means 'pleasant smelling' in Latin, because of its unique aroma!
- The 'brittlegill' part of its name comes from its delicate gills that snap easily!
- You can often smell this mushroom's cheesy scent before you even see it!

## Special abilities

- **Cheese Scent Power:** Camembert Brittlegill has a powerful cheesy scent that helps attract small forest creatures, aiding in spore dispersal.
- **Root Network Weaver:** Camembert Brittlegill can weave a hidden root network, helping trees absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
- **Decomposition Dynamo:** Camembert Brittlegill helps recycle nutrients by breaking down forest debris, enriching the soil for new plant growth.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 4-8 cm
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Size:** 4-10 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Summer to fall
- **Spore Color:** White to creamy white

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** Oak tree (*Quercus robur*) — Trades nutrients with its roots.
- **Symbiotic with:** [European Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-beech) (*Fagus sylvatica*) — Forms a vital underground partnership.
- **Eaten by:** Spanish Slug (*Arion lusitanicus*) — Slugs sometimes graze on its cap.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not touch or eat wild mushrooms without adult supervision.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Camembert Brittlegill?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Camembert Brittlegill?

4-8 cm

### Is Camembert Brittlegill edible?

inedible

### How big is Camembert Brittlegill?

4-10 cm

### Where is Camembert Brittlegill usually found?

Forests, especially under trees and in damp areas.

### What does Camembert Brittlegill grow on?

soil

### When is Camembert Brittlegill in season?

Summer to fall

### What color are Camembert Brittlegill spores?

White to creamy white

## Where to spot

- [Lakewood Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lakewood-park) — Virginia, US · Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Camembert Brittlegill: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/camembert-brittlegill)