October 2001 Berkshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Purple Black Russula Cap Convex, then flattened, or depressed, smooth, purple, almost black at the centre, to about 10 cm across Gills Adnexed, broad, whitish Stem Cylindrical, whitish, then greyish with age Flesh Firm, brittle, white Smell Slight, of apples Taste Hot Season Summer to autumn Distribution Very common Habitat In woods, usually with deciduous trees especially oak and beech Spore Print Whitish Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal, with warts and ridges (7-9) x (6-7) µm2 Edibility Edible but must be cooked |