CHOICE EDIBLE: Excellent flavor, mild taste. Multi-colored cap + BRITTLE FLESH + MILD TASTE diagnostic. One of best edible Russulas. Taste test confirms edibility. Cook thoroughly.
Charcoal Burner has variable colored cap (5-15 cm) - purple, green, gray, or mixed colors - often with multiple colors on same cap. Gills white to cream. Stem white. KEY: BRITTLE CHALKY FLESH, NO LATEX, MILD TASTE. Multi-colored cap diagnostic. Flesh white. Spore print white to pale cream.
| Family | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Genus | Russula |
| Edibility | Edible* |
| Toxicity | unknown |
| Season | Jul-Oct |
| Habitat | Mycorrhizal with hardwoods and conifers. Grows on ground in mixed forests. Widespread. Common species. Scattered or groups. |
| Region | Eastern US, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Europe |
Habitat: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods and conifers. Grows on ground in mixed forests. Widespread. Common species. Scattered or groups.
Region: Eastern US, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Europe
Summer through fall (July-October).
Typical months: Jul-Oct
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species. The differentiator is the point — learn the one or two tells that separate them:
check taste (mild vs acrid)
have LATEX
Pin the patch before you leave it. Coordinates, photos, and field notes stay on your device — and the offline lookalike guide travels with you into the deep woods.
Download Mushroom TrackerDisclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Never consume a wild mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its identification.