Another of the ‘red for danger’ brittlegills, this mushroom is very similar in appearance to the Beechwood Sickener, Russula nobilis. Differentiating features are the greater brittleness of Russula nobilis; its convex cap shape even when fully mature; and its cap cuticle, which peels only 1/3 to the centre whereas that of Russula emetica peels at least 2/3 to the centre and often almost completely. Russula nobilis is just as poisonous as Russula emetica and so both should be avoided when gathering mushrooms for food.