It is a small, pale, long stemmed brittlegill associated mainly with birch and is occasional in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Usually it is dull greenish or olive at the centre, and with a pink margin, although it can be solely either of these colours, or sometimes pale violet.

[1] Similar species are Russula betularum which is frequently found near birch trees, and although usually paler can be mistaken for washed out specimens of R.  racillima.

It is usually darker, and more purplish, and has nicks (serrations) on the gill edges which are distinctive under a hand lens.

Russula gracillima appears occasionally in summer to late autumn,[1] usually growing in small groups with birch, or sometimes willow in damp places.