( Crowded Brittlegill, Dense-Gilled Russula)

Russula densifolia Secr.
Russula densifolia f. cremeispora Shaffer
Russula densifolia f. dilatoria Shaffer
Russula densifolia f. fragrans Shaffer
Russula densifolia f. gregata Shaffer
Russula densifolia var. caucasica Singer
Russula densifolia var. colettarum Dagron
Russula densifolia var. fumosella R.Socha
Russula nigricans var. densifolia (Secr. ex Gillet) Bataille

Russulaceae

ເຫັດໄຄ / Green-cracking Russula
ເຫັດໜ້າງົວ / Stinking Russula
ເຫັດນ້ຳແປ້ງ / White Russula
ເຫັດກໍ່ແດງ/ Rosy Russula
ເຫັດແດງໃຫຍ່/ Bloody Brittlegill

The mushrooms are robust and thick, with caps up to 14.5 cm (in diametre. Stems are 2 to 7.5 cm long and 1.2 to 2.5 cm thick. When bruised, the flesh changes color from red to black. They have a relatively thick cap cuticle [4].

N/A

Annamite Highlands and Xieng Khuang Plateau

Mixed deciduous forest

Native

Not invasive

Not applicable

None

Food
Medicine

Food: This mushroom can be used as an ingredient for soups. It is sold as an edible mushroom in some locations; however it is mildly to moderately poisonous. Consumption may induce stomach discomfort, so exercise caution when preparing and consuming it [8]. Medicine: This mushroom can be used medicinally. It has many health-promoting properties, such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cholesterol-reducing, and immunostimulatory effects [9].

Wild

Threat: The decline in population for this mushroom is due to its high economic value, endless market demand, disorderly digging and hunting, habitat loss, and vegetation deterioration. These factors have led to the overexploitation of many species, threatening the survival of fungal populations and the forests that support them [10].

Sustainable: This mushroom grows in a variety of habitats, especially in high-altitude areas with sufficient rainfall. Its growth is often related to a healthy forest ecosystem; maintaining the forest in its original state will allow the wild mushroom to grow. If we reduce the harvesting, we could expand its population. Sustainable habitat management is critical to maintaining biodiversity and forest ecosystem health, which in turn supports the continued existence of this and other wild mushrooms [11].

N/A

N/A

Nutrient	/100g	Remark
Proteins	N/A	N/A
Carbohydrates	N/A	N/A
Fats	N/A	N/A
Vitamins	N/A	N/A
Minerals	N/A	N/A
Fibers	N/A	N/A

Charcoal Russula in nature. [1] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 23 September 2024 by: tigger501. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/434466555. [Accessed: 14 October 2024]
Gills of the Charcoal Russula up close. [2] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 23 September 2024 by: tigger501. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/434466732. [Accessed: 14 October 2024]
Multiple Charcoal Russula in nature. [3] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded on 17 July 2021 by: antton_ma. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/248718975. [Accessed: 14 October 2024]

[4] Mindat, “mindat.org,” [Online]. Available: https://www.mindat.org/taxon-2551191.html. [Accessed: 7 August 2024]
[5] Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), “Russula densifolia Secr. ex Gillet,” [Online]. Available: https://www.gbif.org/species/2551191. [Accessed: 14 October 2024]
[6] A. E. Bessette, W. C. Roody, and A. R. Bessette, Mushrooms of the Southeastern United States. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, p. 192, 2007.
[7] IUCN, “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,” [Online]. Available: https://www.iucnredlist.org/. [Accessed: 7 August 2024]
[8] G. Marley, “Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares: The Love, Lore, and Mystique of Mushrooms”. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, p. 96, 2010.
[9] M. Panda and et al., "Mycochemical composition, bioactivities, and phylogenetic placement of three wild edible Russula species from Northern Odisha, India," Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with All Aspects of Plant Biology, pp. 1-17, 2020.
[10] R. Wang and et al., "Ethnomycological study on wild mushrooms in Pu’er Prefecture, Southwest Yunnan, China," Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, vol. 18, pp. 1-24, 2022.
[11] J. Boonyanuphap and C. Hansawasdi, "Spatial distribution of Beta glucan containing wild mushroom communities in subtropical dry forest, Thailand," Fungal Diversity, pp. 1-14, 2010.