It is a small, fragile, long stemmed, and variably coloured brittlegill, found in mixed forests, and woods in Europe, Asia, and North America.

They have distinctive nicks, or notches on their free edges, that can be seen under a hand lens, a very good diagnostic clue to species.

[2] Russula betularum is frequently found with birch, and although usually paler can be mistaken for washed out specimens of R. fragilis; Russula gracillima is similar in appearance, and grows in the same locations, although neither species have nicks (serrations) on the gill edges.

Russula fragilis appears in late summer and autumn, usually growing in small groups.

[6] Many hot-tasting Russula species cause problems of a gastrointestinal nature when consumed, resulting in diarrhoea, and vomiting.