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    Home » Types of Edible Wild Mushrooms

    Quilted Green Russulas: Russula virescens

    Published: Jun 2, 2022 Modified: Feb 9, 2024 Author: Alan Bergo

    Quilted green russulas, also known as green brittle gills and Russula parvovirescens are an edible wild mushroom. They're one of the easiest Russula species to identify and eat in North America.

    Young and old quilted green russulas or Russula parovirescens

    Formerly Russula virescens, r. parvovirescens was identified in 2006 and declared a unique species of the Eastern United States. The two mushrooms are interchangeable for culinary purposes, but R. parvovirescens has a smaller stature than R. virescens.

    A mix of many different wild mushrooms
    Mixed summer wild mushrooms.

    The mushrooms appear in the summer months when the chanterelles, porcini, and other wild mushrooms are available.

    When I find young ones, or those not damaged enough by bugs to dry, they'll go in my mushroom basket. Here's everything I know about them.

    close up on the cap of an older russula parvovirescens
    You'll be fighting the slugs and larvae for these.

    Habitat

    I see these mushrooms in mixed broadleaf hardwood forests in the Midwest, especially those with plenty of burr and red oak mixed in. I often see them in the same habitat as lobster mushrooms, chanterelles, black trumpet mushrooms and porcini. Thee fungus begins fruiting in the summer and I typically see the most of them in July through August.

    Russula parovirescens, the quilted green russula in the woods
    These are a beautiful, distinctive mushroom.

    Identification

    As a general rule, Russula can be difficult to identify. These are the exception. Their green cap, covered with large crustose patches in a net-like pattern that's referred to as "quilted" are the biggest giveaways. 

    Close up of a quilted green russula cap (Russula virescens)
    Close up of the quilting pattern.
    Close up of a russula virescens cap showing the quilting pattern

    Occasionally I see some mushrooms with a mottled green and beige coloration you see below. 

    young russula parvovirescens showing a mottled green cap
    close up of a young russula parvovirescens cap showing quilting

    Quick tips 

    Russula parvovirescens 

    • Has a mottled green pattern on the cap surface, that may discolor of fade with age. 
    • Always has a white spore print.
    • The stem and cap are brittle and easily chipped or broken.

    Russula Virescens Look a Like

    Russula. aeruginea looks similar in that it has a green cap, but the cap is pure green, with no visible quilting, or what's referred to as "large crustose patches" on the cap.

    If the cap of your mushroom is pure green and smooth, it's probably R. aeruginea, and it's also edible. There are no poisonous look a likes to my knowledge.

    Harvesting

    These grow singularly and I don't often find large gregarious patches. To get a decent amount you need to hunt for them.

    A mature russula parvovirescens with a bug-free stems
    An impeccable, bug free stem is rare.

    Young buttons are the best eating. but, no matter the age of your mushroom, you'll be fighting the bugs. The first thing I do is pluck the mushrooms from the ground, cut off the base of the stem, and inspect it for bug holes.

    Russula parvovirescens, the quilted green brittle gill showing the buggy stem
    Russula parvovirescens, the quilted green brittle gill close up of the buggy stem

    If the mushrooms have bug damage but seem sturdy, I may take them home and dry them.

    russula virescens mushroom stored in a tupperware container to protect it's shape
    Consider putting the mushrooms in a hard-sided container in the field and at home to protect them.

    These are brittle, crumbly mushrooms so it's best to transport them in a basket. Place them in a container to avoid crushing them with heavier fungi.

    Cooking

    Green brittle gills have a good, mild mushroom flavor you can use in any of your favorite wild mushroom recipes. Since their flavor is mild, I generally avoid cream sauces and lots of dairy with them, but a little bit can be ok. Since bug damage is an issue with these, they're a good candidate for mushroom duxelles.

    Drying

    Since these often have at least some bug damage, I typically end up drying them. Dehydrating concentrates their flavor.

    Dried or dehydrated russula parvovirescens on a tray.

    Some people have compared the dried flavor and aroma to potatoes. I think mild mushroom with an aroma of dried shrimp or fish is a better description.

    Quilted Green Russula Recipes 

    These typically become duxelles, powder or broth in my kitchen as it's hard to find bug-free mushrooms. Here's a few examples of how you might use this fascinating fungi.

    • Mushroom Duxelles
    • Dried Mushroom Duxelles
    • Dried Mushroom Broth

    References

    • Mushrooms Demystified
    • 100 Edible Mushrooms
    « 35 Essential Wild Mushrooms Every Forager Should Know
    Golden Oyster Mushrooms »

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