Mushroom Type Edible  
    
Latin Name Russula cyanoxantha 
        
Maximum height (CM) 11 
Maximum width (CM) 15 
    
Smell Faint / mushroomy. 
Gills White and flexible unlike other Russulas whose gills are brittle. 
Spore Print White to pale cream. Broadly elliptical. 
Stem White, firm and staining slightly green when rubbed with iron salts. 
Cap Convex to flattening with a depression in the centre. The colour can vary considerably being olive, brown, wine, grey, purple or even yellowish. Greasy when wet. 
Flesh White, thick and firm. 
Habitat Mixed and broad leaved woodland particularly beech. Said to grow in troops but I have only found individual mushrooms. 
Taste Good, mild and nutty. 
Possible Confusion Other Russulas but these have brittle gills rather than the charcoal burners flexible ones. The stems of other Russulas stain salmon pink when rubbed with iron salts whereas the burner stains slightly green. 
Description Common. Kee