Fungus · GBIF taxon 3360196
Pocket-stalked Russula
Russula cerolensAlso known as Pocket-stalked Brittlegill
Pocket-stalked russulas partner with both conifers and broadleaf hardwoods across western North America, exchanging soil nutrients for tree sugars in a classic mycorrhizal union. The mushroom is readily recognized by its dull amber-brown cap, brittle chalk-like consistency, and an unpleasant oily or burnt-rubber scent. Slicing the pale stem vertically exposes hollow cavities or irregular pockets, an adaptation that gives this woodland fungus its common name.
FungusMycorrhizalWoodland
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mycorrhizal
Predators
- Pacific banana slug
- Fungus gnat larvae
- Red-backed vole
ThreatsHabitat loss from logging, severe wildfires, and ground soil compaction
HabitatsTemperate coniferous and mixed hardwood forests
Life spanMushroom caps persist 4–10 days; mycelium persists indefinitely
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderRussulales
- FamilyRussulaceae
- GenusRussula
- SpeciesRussula cerolens
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Many wild fungi contain toxins and have look-alikes; never eat wild mushrooms based on app identification alone.
- Why it is dangerous
- Likely contains acrid sesquiterpene compounds common to foetid Russula species that induce severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a dull yellowish-tan viscid cap with striate margins, brittle chalky gills, and an unpleasant waxy, rubbery smell.
- What to do
- Safe to touch and inspect in the field, but wash hands afterward and never consume wild specimens.
Responsible observation
- Check the scent: Gently scratch the cap surface to notice a distinctive waxy, pungent aroma.
- Section the stipe: Slice the stem lengthwise to reveal the characteristic hollow pockets inside.
- Spore print: Rest a mature cap gill-side down on dark paper overnight to reveal pale cream spores.
Symbiont (c) Danny Steaven, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator Thomas Schoch / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Анна Кириченко, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Sharon Squazzo, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sharon Squazzo · cc-by
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