Yellow-gilled Russula

A number of inedible or poisonous yellow mushrooms are superficially similar, including several poisonous, yellow-capped Amanita species. A yellow Amanita differs most obviously in that the stem base is bulbous and a ring is present on the stem. TIP: Species of Russula can be differentiated from most non-Russula look-alikes by confirming that the stem is brittle and snaps cleanly in two, like a piece of chalk, rather than bending or fraying lengthwise. The rare and probably edible Russula flaviceps differs in that the cap is a less vivid (more brownish) yellow, the spore deposit is a paler shade of yellow, and the flesh has a peppery to bitter taste when a small amount is tasted, then spit out.