Russula albonigra, commonly known as the blackening russula, is a member of the genus Russula, all of which are collectively known as brittlegills. Its consumption is recommended against.
Taxonomy First described by the mycologist Julius Vincenz von Krombholz in 1838, its specific epithet comes from Latin albus and niger, which mean white and black.
Description The cap is up to wide, convex to infundibuliform, whitish then blackening, and sometimes viscous. The stipe is up to long, dusky, or white above, pale grey-ochreous towards the base. The gills are decurrent, crowded, thick, unequal, connected by veins, dusky whitish or yellowish. The flesh is white, turns black or sooty. The taste is somewhat bitter and unpleasant to mild.
Habitat and distribution It grows under hardwood and conifer trees in North America, being found in such places as the Pacific Northwest.
Uses It may be possible to eat if cooked thoroughly, but is of little interest and resembles a poisonous species.
See also List of Russula species
References