The name of this mushroom comes from the fact that it smells like shellfish or crab when fresh.

Shrimp Russulas are edible. It is mild tasting and for some it is one of the most highly regarded edibles.

The odor smells faintly like fish at first; however, the odor becomes more and more "shrimpish" as the mushroom matures.

A number of different species are referred to as Shrimp Russula; however, there are no studies that differentiate the various species.

The cap colors range from red, pink and purple to yellow, brown, and olive.