Fauna
Fungus · GBIF taxon 2551173

Green Brittlegill

Russula aeruginea

Also known as Grass-green Russula, Tacky Green Russula, Green Russula

Green brittlegills emerge on woodland floors during summer and autumn, forming vital mycorrhizal partnerships primarily with birch trees. Their caps range from dull grass-green to greyish-green, acquiring a tacky sheen when moist and fading slightly with age. Like all members of their genus, the stem snaps cleanly like chalk rather than splintering, owing to spherical cells called sphaerocysts throughout their tissue.

FungusMycorrhizalForest Dweller
Green Brittlegill reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Mandy Hackney, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Mycorrhizal
Predators
  • Fungus Gnats
  • Slugs
  • Squirrels
ThreatsHabitat degradation and severe soil compaction
HabitatsTemperate deciduous and mixed woodlands, especially under birch and pine
Life spanPerennial underground mycelium; individual fruiting bodies last 1–2 weeks
Classification
  1. OrderRussulales
  2. FamilyRussulaceae
  3. GenusRussula
  4. SpeciesRussula aeruginea
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many green mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Check the stem: Gently snap the stem to test for the characteristic chalky break unique to brittlegills.
  • Inspect surrounding trees: Look around birch or pine trees where mycorrhizal roots actively feed the fungus.
  • Observe cap textures: Note the dull greyish-green tone and slightly sticky feel when damp.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…