Russulaceae

English: Brittlegill and milkcap family
Dutch: Russula-familie

The Russulaceae is a family of gilled mushrooms comprising 2 main genera (Russula and Lactarius) and about 1,900 species. They are distributed worldwide and are among the most common mushrooms in forests. They form ectomycorrhizal relationships with trees.

Key Identifying Features

• Flesh: Brittle and crumbly (not fibrous), breaks like chalk
• Gills: Typically thick, brittle, and closely spaced
• Milk (Lactarius): Latex exuded when cut or broken
• No milk (Russula): No latex, often brightly colored caps
• Spore print: White to cream or ochre
• Mycorrhizal: Associated with specific trees

Parent: Fungi