Source-reviewed species profile
The sickener Russula emetica
Bright red cap, white brittle gills and a very acrid taste. This profile covers broad field features, season and habitat for learning.
Where can I find the sickener?
Damp coniferous woodland and bog margins, especially with spruce or pine.
In Mycoverse you can select The sickener and compare candidate search areas using a species-specific assessment of rainfall, estimated soil moisture, temperature, forest type, tree signals, canopy cover, terrain and season. Where source coverage is available, the assessment also uses historical species observations. Historical observations are historical data, not recent finds.
Images, text and app suggestions cannot confirm a species or food safety.
Field features
- Bright red cap, white brittle gills and a very acrid taste.
Habitat and search guidance
Damp coniferous woodland and bog margins, especially with spruce or pine.
Months
June–November
Safety status
Not for food; may cause gastrointestinal reactions. Not presented as a food mushroom. This profile supports learning and safer boundaries; it does not approve a finding.
Sources and review status
Last reviewed: 30 September 2026.