Purple Brittlegill
ExploreFungi
Purple Brittlegill
Russula
Purple Brittlegill is a colorful fungus that can be purple or violet! It often grows in shady places under trees.
Habitat: Shady areas
Appearance
The Purple Brittlegill has a vibrant cap, often appearing purple, lilac, olive green, or even bluish-grey, which can be patchy or zoned. It has pure white, brittle gills that do not fork, and a sturdy, white, cylindrical stem that is also quite fragile.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderRussulalesFamilyRussulaceaeGenusRussula
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It has special underground threads that connect it directly to the roots of trees!
Its scientific name means 'blue and yellow', even though its cap is often purple!
Many colorful mushrooms are poisonous, but this striking purple one is actually edible!
This mushroom's name 'Brittlegill' comes from its fragile, chalk-like stem and gills!
Special abilities
Ability
Nutrient Navigator
Purple Brittlegill can share vital water and minerals with tree roots, helping both the fungus and the tree thrive.
Ability
Super Spore Sprinkler
Its delicate, brittle gills break cleanly, helping it efficiently release its spores to grow new mushrooms nearby.
Ability
Color Shift Camouflage
Purple Brittlegill has a cap that can vary widely in color, helping it blend in with different forest floor environments.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-10 cm
- Edibility
- edible
- Cap Diameter
- 5-15 cm
- Growth Substrate
- soil
- Season
- Late summer to autumn
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Pedunculate Oak
Quercus robur
Forms a mutually beneficial root partnership.
symbiotic with
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Exchanges nutrients and water with its roots.
eaten by
Black Slug
Arion ater
Slugs and snails often graze on its caps and gills.
Traits
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Purple Brittlegill?
The easiest way to identify Purple Brittlegill is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Purple Brittlegill?
5-10 cm
Is Purple Brittlegill edible?
edible
How big is Purple Brittlegill?
5-15 cm
Where is Purple Brittlegill usually found?
Shady areas
What does Purple Brittlegill grow on?
soil
When is Purple Brittlegill in season?
Late summer to autumn
What color are Purple Brittlegill spores?
White
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park33 sightings12 species
Pennsylvania, US
Cherry Springs State Park
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Park30 sightings12 species
Alabama, US
Luverne Historic District
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Park17 sightings10 species
Tennessee, US
W.J. Freeman Park
You might spot Eurasian Collared-Dove and Ringless Honey Mushroom.
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Park32 sightings9 species
Virginia, US
Backlick Stream Valley Park
You might spot Garlic Mustard, Violets, and Wineberry.
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Park56 sightings8 species
Virginia, US
Wolf Trails Park
You might spot Sawtooth Oak, Wineberry, and Blue Mistflower.
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Park40 sightings7 species
Virginia, US
McLean Hunt Park
You might spot American Toad, Eastern Box Turtle, and American Robin.
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