✅ Edibility Note
EDIBLE: Mild flavor when cooked. BRITTLE FLESH + NO LATEX distinguishes from Lactarius. Large size. Taste test (nibble and spit) - mild specimens edible, acrid ones inedible. Cook thoroughly.
Description
Short-stemmed Russula has white cap (5-20 cm), becoming funnel-shaped. Gills white, crowded. Stem short, thick, white. KEY: BRITTLE CHALKY FLESH (snaps like chalk), NO LATEX. Large white mushroom. Often partially buried. Flesh white. Spore print white. Mild to slightly acrid taste.
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat: Mycorrhizal with CONIFERS in western North America, especially pine, fir, Douglas fir. Grows on ground, often partially buried. Common in Pacific Northwest forests. Scattered or groups.
Region: Pacific Northwest, California, Rocky Mountains, British Columbia
Seasonality
Fall (September-November), fruiting after rains.
Common Lookalikes
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species:
- Russula cascadensis - similar white Russula
- Lactarius species - have LATEX
- White Amanitas - have volva
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