Blusher
Blusher (Amanita rubescens) is a mushroom found across Europe and Asia, with a close relative in western North America called Amanita novinupta. The most noticeable feature is pink bruising: the white flesh turns pink when damaged.
Description: The cap is reddish-brown, 5–15 cm across, and covered with small white-to-mahogany warts. The stem is white and 5–15 cm tall, with a ridged (striate) ring. Gills are white and do not attach to the stem. The flesh is white and becomes pink when bruised; the smell is mild and the taste is faintly acrid when raw. Spore print is white.
Habitat and range: Blushers grow in woodlands on poor soils, often from June to November in the UK. They are common in Europe and Asia. Amanita novinupta, a similar species, is found in western North America.
Similar species: Amanita pantherina, the poisonous false blusher, is similar but does not bruise pink and has a non-striated ring.
Edibility and safety: When cooked, A. rubescens is edible in some countries, but many people choose not to eat it. Raw flesh contains toxins that cooking destroys, and eating large amounts raw can cause illness or anemia. Because similar species exist, caution is advised.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 20:24 (CET).