✅ Edibility Note
EDIBLE: Mild flavor despite fishy odor (disappears when cooked). FISHY ODOR + RED CAP + BRITTLE FLESH diagnostic. Cook thoroughly.
Description
Shrimp Russula has purple-red to wine-red cap (5-12 cm), sticky. Gills cream to yellowish. Stem white to pinkish. KEY: BRITTLE FLESH, FISHY or SHELLFISH ODOR (like shrimp), reddish cap. Flesh white. Spore print cream to ochre. Mild taste.
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat: Mycorrhizal with conifers and hardwoods. Grows on ground in mixed forests. Widespread species. Scattered or groups.
Region: Eastern US, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Europe
Seasonality
Summer through fall (July-October).
Common Lookalikes
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species:
- Other red Russulas - check odor
- Lactarius - have LATEX
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