Green-cracking Russula

Russula

The Green-cracking Russula is a bright green fungus that grows in shady places. It has a fun name because it can crack when you touch it!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Green-cracking Russula has a distinctive cap, usually olive to yellowish-green, which often develops a network of cracks with age, revealing white flesh underneath. Its stalk is white and stout, and the gills are also white, becoming creamier as it matures, setting it apart with its unique cracked green texture.

KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderRussulalesFamilyRussulaceaeGenusRussula

Green-cracking Russula

Interesting facts

Even though it's green, this mushroom cannot make its own food!

It's an expert at sharing food with trees deep underground!

Its bumpy, cracked green cap makes it look like old mossy pavement!

Many animals, like squirrels, love to munch on this crunchy fungus!

Special abilities

Green-cracking Russula can share nutrients with forest trees because of an amazing underground root network.

Green-cracking Russula has a uniquely cracked green cap that helps it blend into leafy forest floors.

Green-cracking Russula can release millions of tiny spores into the air that helps new mushrooms grow far away.

Measurements & details

Height: 4-10 cm
Edibility: edible
Cap Diameter: 5-15 cm
Growth Substrate: soil
Season: Summer to Fall
Spore Color: White

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

White Oak

Quercus alba

Forms a mutually beneficial relationship

symbiotic with

American Beech

Fagus grandifolia

Exchanges nutrients with its roots

symbiotic with

Sweet Birch

Betula lenta

Partners with this tree for nutrient uptake

eaten by

Grey Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

Squirrels forage for and eat this mushroom

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Spore Producing

Discover how some plants and fungi create tiny little "seeds" called spores to help them grow new life! These tiny particles drift in the air, spreading new generations far and wide.