Russula emetica
4243203
224132215
2008-07-07T13:32:29Z
Luridiformis
7228911
{{Taxobox
| color = lightblue
| name = ''Russula emetica''
| status =
secure
| image = Russula emetica2.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| regnum = [[Fungus|Fungi]]
| divisio = [[Basidiomycota]]
| classis = [[Homobasidiomycetae]]
| subclassis = [[Hymenomycete]]s
| ordo = [[Russulales]]
| familia = [[Russulaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Russula]]''
| species = '''''R. emetica'''''
| binomial = ''Russula emetica''
| binomial_authority = (Schaeff.: Fr.) [[Christian Hendrik Persoon|Pers.]]
}}
{{mycomorphbox
| name = Russula emetica
| whichGills = free
| capShape = convex
| hymeniumType=gills
| stipeCharacter= bare
| ecologicalType=mycorrhizal
| sporePrintColor=white
| howEdible=poisonous}}
'''''Russula emetica''''', commonly known as '''The Sickener''', is a [[basidiomycete]] [[mushroom]] of the genus ''[[Russula]]'', one of many species with a predominantly red-coloured cap and white gills and stalk. It gets its common name from its inedibility, as it causes vomiting and diarrhea when consumed. It has an extremely peppery taste, which is said to disappear on cooking, along with its toxicity, though eating it is not recommended.
==Taxonomy==
''R. emetica'' was first described as ''Agaricus emeticus'' by [[Jacob Christian Schäffer|Jacob Christian Schaeffer]] in 1774,<ref>In Schaeffer's series on fungi of Bavaria and the Palatinate, '' Fungorum qui in Bavaria et Palatinatu circa Ratisbonam nascuntur icones.'' published since 1762.</ref> before being placed in the new genus ''Russula'' by [[Christian Hendrik Persoon]] in 1796, where it remains. Its specific epithet is derived from the [[Ancient Greek]]
''emetikos''/εμετικος 'emetic' or 'vomit-inducing'.<ref name="Liddell 1980">{{cite book | author = [[Henry George Liddell|Liddell, Henry George]] and [[Robert Scott (philologist)|Robert Scott]] | year = 1980 | title = [[A Greek-English Lexicon]] (Abridged Edition) | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | location = United Kingdom | id = ISBN 0-19-910207-4}}</ref> Similarly, its common names of ''sickener'', ''emetic russula'' and ''vomiting russula'' also refer to this attribute.
The uncommon European subspecies ''R. emetica longipes'' is distinguished by its longer stalk and ochre-coloured gills.<ref name=Kranz91/> The paler European mushroom ''[[Russula betularum]]'' of coniferous forests and moorland is sometimes considered a subspecies.<ref name=Kranz91/>
==Description==
The sticky cap is 3-10 cm (1¼-4 in) wide and a bright scarlet or cherry red in colour with finely ridged margins. It is initially convex, then later flat, or depressed. The brittle flesh is white and the taste is very sharp and peppery. The spore print is white, as are the narrowly spaced gills. The stipe is up to 7 cm (3 in) long and 1 cm (½ in) wide, cylindrical and white.<ref name = "Carluccio03">{{cite book | author = [[Antonio Carluccio|Carluccio A]] | year = 2003 | title = The Complete Mushroom Book |pages=p. 71| publisher = Quadrille | id = ISBN 1-84400-040-0}}</ref> The fungus has an unusual fruity smell.
It is one of many red-coloured species of ''Russula''; the related Beechwood Sickener ''[[Russula mairei|R. mairei]]'' is found under beech in Europe. Many, such as the paler ''[[Russula sanguinea|R. sanguinea]]'', are inedible, though ''[[Russula aurata|R. aurata]]'' is edible and good: it has a yellow stem, gills and flesh under its red cap.<ref>{{cite book | author = Nilson S & Persson O | year = 1977 | title = Fungi of Northern Europe 2: Gill-Fungi | publisher = Penguin|isbn=0-14-063006-6|pages=p. 118}}</ref> Another inedible species, ''[[Russula fragilis|R. fragilis]]'' has notched gills, and its stalk stains blue with [[naphthol]].<ref name=Zeitl76>{{cite book|author=Zeitlmayr L|year=1976|title=Wild Mushrooms:An Illustrated Handbook|publisher=Garden City Press, Hertfordshire|isbn= 0-584-10324-7|pages=p. 92}}</ref> The red pigments of this and other russulas are water soluble to some degree, and fruiting bodies will often bleach or fade with rain or sunlight.<ref name = "Ramsbottom53">{{cite book | author = Ramsbottom J | year = 1953 | title = Mushrooms & Toadstools|pages=p. 102 | publisher = Collins | isbn = 1870630092}}</ref>
==Distribution and habitat==
The Sickener may be found in wet places in [[coniferous]] woodlands in Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America, and can be very common.<ref name=Kranz91>{{cite book | author = Kränzlin F | year = 1991 | title = Fungi of Switzerland 6: Russulaceae|pages=p. 164 | isbn = 3-85604-260-1}}</ref> There is some doubt over the extent of its range in North America, as some sightings refer to the related ''[[Russula silvicola]]''; initially the name "Russula emetica" was often applied to any red-capped white russula encountered. Sightings in Australia are now referred to the similarly coloured ''[[Russula persanguinea]]''.
==Toxicity==
As its name implies, the Sickener is poisonous, though not as dangerous as once described in older mushroom guides. The symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal in nature: [[diarrhoea]], vomiting and [[colic]]ky abdominal cramps. The active agent has not been identified but thought to be [[sesquiterpene]]s, which have been isolated from the related genus ''[[Lactarius]]'' and from ''[[Russula sardonia]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Benjamin| first= Denis R. |title=Mushrooms: poisons and panaceas — a handbook for naturalists, mycologists and physicians|pages=p. 369|publisher=WH Freeman and Company| location=New York |year=1995| isbn=0-7167-2600-9}}</ref>
The bitter taste does disappear on cooking and it is said to be edible, though not recommended.<ref name=Zeitl76/> A study in England and southern Scotland found that the [[Red Squirrel]] (''Sciurus vulgaris'') is known to forage for, store and eat the Sickener.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Lurz PWW, South AB |year=1998|title=Cached fungi in non-native conifer forests and their importance for red squirrels (''Sciurus vulgaris'' L.) |journal=Journal of Zoology, London |volume=246|pages=468–71|doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00184.x}}</ref>
== External links ==
*http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/sep2004.html Tom Volk's page on Russula emetica
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
* "Danske storsvampe. Basidiesvampe" [a key to Danish basidiomycetes] J.H. Petersen and J. Vesterholt eds. Gyldendal. Viborg, Denmark, 1990. ISBN 87-01-09932-9
[[Category:Russula|emetica]]
[[Category:Poisonous mushrooms]]
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