About Russula atropurpurea (Krombh.) Britzelm.
The cap of Russula atropurpurea measures 4–10 cm (1.5–4 in) in diameter. It is dark reddish purple, with a dark, sometimes almost black center. When young, the cap is convex, but it flattens as it matures and often develops a shallow depression. Caps may also be lighter in color or mottled with yellowish patches. The firm stem is white when young and turns grey with age; it is 3–6 cm long and 1–2 cm in diameter. The gills are closely spaced, fairly broad, adnexed to almost free, and pale cream in color, which matches the color of the species' spore print. The flesh is white, has a fruity scent similar to apples, and tastes moderately hot. As fruitbodies mature, their caps become concave to collect water during wet weather, and much of the cap's color washes off the rim. Two similar species, Russula brunneviolacea and Russula romellii, both have darker spore prints. Russula atropurpurea grows from late summer through autumn. It is common across northern temperate zones, including Europe, Asia, and Eastern North America. It forms mycorrhizal relationships, and prefers pairing with oak (Quercus). It favors acidic soil, and occasionally associates with beech (Fagus) or pine (Pinus).
