Russula violacea
EN

Russula violacea

Local name: Russule violacée

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russula_violacea

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Russula violacea faces severe population declines primarily due to the destruction and fragmentation of old-growth deciduous forests across Europe. Intensive forestry practices that favor monoculture plantations over diverse woodland ecosystems have eliminated much of the species' preferred mycorrhizal habitat. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition, alters soil chemistry and disrupts the delicate fungal-root partnerships essential for this species' survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This distinctive purple-capped mushroom forms mycorrhizal associations with deciduous trees, particularly beech and oak, in mature European forests. It requires stable, undisturbed woodland environments with rich, well-developed soil layers and established fungal networks.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Russulaceae

Russule noircieCR

Russule noircie

Russula seperina

Unknown
Amethyst BrittlegillCR

Amethyst Brittlegill

Russula amethystina

Unknown
Hintapink BrittlegillEN

Hintapink Brittlegill

Russula paludosa

Unknown
EN

Russule rose bonbon

Russula veternosa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Russule violacée classified as Endangered?
Russule violacée is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Russula violacea faces severe population declines primarily due to the destruction and fragmentation of old-growth deciduous forests across Europe. Intensive forestry practices that favor monoculture plantations over diverse woodland ecosystems have eliminated much of the species' preferred mycorrhizal habitat. Air pollution, particularly nitrogen deposition, alters soil chemistry and disrupts the delicate fungal-root partnerships essential for this species' survival.
Where does Russule violacée live?
Russule violacée occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Russule violacée?
The main threats to Russule violacée are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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