Choice Edible
Charcoal Burner
Russula cyanoxantha
Also known as: Charcoal Burner
Botanical Overview
Russula cyanoxantha, synonymous with R. xyanoxantha, commonly known as the charcoal burner, is a basidiomycete mushroom, distinguished from most other members of the genus Russula by the fact that its gills do not split, but are soft and flexible. It is one of the most common species of Russula in Europe. It is an edible mushroom. It was designated "Mushroom of the Year" in 1997 by the German Association of Mycology.
Foraging Safety · Hazard Watch
Similar & Confusing Lookalikes
Never harvest or eat wild mushrooms based on photos alone. Always cross-check against these similar lookalikes:
Lookalike
Russula grisea
Russula grisea
Choice Edible
Shellfish-scented Russula
Russula xerampelina
Lookalike
Russula virescens
Russula virescens
Lookalike
Russula aeruginea
Russula aeruginea
Lookalike
Russula parazurea
Russula parazurea
Classification
Scientific Taxonomy
Kingdom Fungi
Phylum Basidiomycota
Class Agaricomycetes
Order Russulales
Family Russulaceae
Genus Russula
Safety Notice: Never consume any wild mushroom based exclusively on photographs or app identification. Many deadly poisonous species (such as Amanita phalloides) closely mimic edible varieties. Always verify your specimen in person with a certified expert mycologist.
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