Meira Russula (Russula nobilis) photo and description

Mayr’s Russula (Russula nobilis)

• Russula noticeable

• Russula phageticola;
• Russula beech.

Mayr’s russula has a hat-legged fruiting body, with dense white flesh that may have a slightly reddish tint under the skin. The pulp of this mushroom is characterized by a pungent taste and aroma of honey or fruit. Upon contact with a solution of guaiacum, it intensively changes its color to a brighter one.

head Mayr’s russula is 3 to 9 cm in diameter, and in young fruiting bodies it has a hemispherical shape. As the fungus matures, it becomes flat, sometimes slightly convex or slightly depressed. The color of the hat of Mayr’s russula is initially rich red, but gradually fades, becoming reddish-pink. The peel fits snugly to the surface of the cap, and it can be removed only at the edges.

Leg Mayr’s russula is characterized by a cylindrical shape, very dense, often white in color, but at the base it can be brownish or yellowish. The fungal hymenophore is represented by a lamellar type. The plates in its composition first have a whitish color, in mature fruiting bodies they become creamy, often grow along the edges to the surface of the stem.

mushroom spores in Mayr’s russula, they are characterized by dimensions of 6.5-8 * 5.5-6.5 microns, have a well-developed grid. Their surface is covered with warts, and the shape is obovate.

Mayr’s russula is widespread throughout southern Europe. You can meet this species only in deciduous beech forests.

Mayr’s russula is considered a slightly poisonous, inedible mushroom. Many gourmets are repelled by the bitter taste of the pulp. When consumed raw, it can provoke mild poisoning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Mayr’s russula has several similar species:

1. Russula luteotacta – you can meet this type of mushroom mainly with hornbeams. Distinctive features of the species are non-netted spores, flesh that acquires a rich yellow color when damaged, slightly descending down the leg of the plate.

2. Russula emetica. This type of mushroom is found mainly in coniferous forests, has a rich color of the cap, the shape of which becomes funnel-shaped with age.

3. Russula persicina. This species grows mainly under beeches, and its main distinguishing features are cream-colored spore powder, reddish stem and yellowish plates in old mushrooms.

4. Russula rosea. This type of mushroom grows mainly in beech forests, has a pleasant taste and a reddish stem.

5. Russula rhodomelanea. The fungus of this species grows under oak trees and is characterized by sparsely located blades. Its flesh turns black when the fruiting body dries.

6. Russula grisescens. The fungus grows in coniferous forests, and its flesh turns gray on contact with water or high humidity.