Lactarius rubrilacteus
| Lactarius rubrilacteus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Cap underside | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Russulales |
| Family: | Russulaceae |
| Genus: | Lactarius |
| Species: | L. rubrilacteus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lactarius rubrilacteus | |
Lactarius rubrilacteus | |
|---|---|
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex |
 | Hymenium is decurrent |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is cream |
 | Ecology is mycorrhizal |
 | Edibility is edible |
Lactarius rubrilacteus is a species of mushroom of the genus Lactarius.[1] It is also known as the bleeding milkcap, as is the similar L. sanguifluus. It is edible but of low interest.
Description
[edit]The mushroom can have either a bluish-green or an orangy-brown hue.[2][3] It bruises green, and is more commonly greenish in old, damaged, or unexpanded specimens (e.g. a "button" at the base).[4][5] It has many laticifers which appear as a white network across its surface.[3]
The cap of the mushroom is convex, sometimes shield-shaped, and 6–14 centimetres (2+1⁄4–5+1⁄2 in) across;[5] it also has quite an underfolded margin and a depressive disk.[2] The stem is coloured like the cap,[6] up to 6 cm long and 2.5 cm thick.[5]
When sliced or cut, the mushroom flesh will typically release a dark red to purple latex or milky substance.[1] The flesh will lose colour when damaged, and is usually granular or brittle to the touch.[2] The fungus exudes a slight odour that is faintly aromatic.[2]
The spores are creamy white or yellow and ellipsoid in shape.[2][3] The spore print is beige.[5]
Chemical reactivity
[edit]- Potassium hydroxide: When the mushroom comes in contact with potassium hydroxide, most of the mushroom, including the mantle and ectomycorrhizae, loses its bluish hue and becomes a dull brown.[3]
- Melzer's reagent: Hardly any visible reaction on any part of the mushroom occurs. This particular mushroom appears to have little reactivity to Melzer's Reagent.[3]
- Sulfovanillin: Most of the mushroom becomes a reddish-brown color, but the oldest roots of the fungi stay unaltered by contact with sulfovanillin.[3]
Similar species
[edit]Lactarius deliciosus is a related species, but its cap differs in appearance.[4] L. sanguifluus (also known as bleeding milkcap)[7] is similar,[4] perhaps even synonymous, and is mycorrhizal with pine in Europe.[5] Additionally, L. barrowsii, L. paradoxus and L. subpurpureus may be similar.[5]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The mushroom is primarily found in parts of western North America, growing in forests and on the ground. The mushroom usually finds cover under conifer trees, mainly Douglas-fir.[2] It is widely distributed in these areas between the months of June and October.[2]
Uses
[edit]The mushroom is edible,[8] but has a grainy texture[5] and is of little interest.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Rich, Robert. "Lactarius rubrilacteus". Retrieved 18 April 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Lactarius rubrilacteus". RogersMushrooms.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f "Lactarius rubrilacteus Hesler & Smith". British Columbia Ectomycorrhizal Research Network. Archived from the original on 26 May 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
- ^ a b c Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.
- ^ a b c d e f g Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-0-89815-170-1.
- ^ a b Telander, Todd (2023). Mushrooms. A Falcon Field Guide (2nd ed.). Essex, CT: Falcon Guides. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-4930-6558-5.
- ^ Thiers, Harry D.; Arora, David (September 1980). "Mushrooms Demystified". Mycologia. 72 (5): 1054. doi:10.2307/3759750. ISSN 0027-5514.
- ^ Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.