Lactarius rubrilacteus
{{Short description|Species of fungus}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Lactarius rubrilacteus 126762.jpg
| image_caption = Cap underside
| genus = Lactarius
| species = rubrilacteus
| authority = Hesler & A.H.Sm. (1979)
}}
{{mycomorphbox
| name = Lactarius rubrilacteus
| whichGills = decurrent
| capShape = convex
| hymeniumType=gills
| stipeCharacter=bare
| ecologicalType=mycorrhizal
| sporePrintColor=cream
| howEdible=edible
}}
Lactarius rubrilacteus is a species of mushroom of the genus Lactarius.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rrich.com/mslactrubri.html|title=Lactarius rubrilacteus|accessdate=18 April 2007|last=Rich |first=Robert}} It is also known as the bleeding milkcap, as is the similar L. sanguifluus. It is edible but of low interest.
Description
The mushroom can have either a bluish-green or an orangy-brown hue.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6333~gid~.asp|publisher=RogersMushrooms.com|title=Lactarius rubrilacteus|accessdate=18 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224308/http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6333~gid~.asp|archive-date=27 September 2007|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.pfc.forestry.ca/biodiversity/bcern/description/description-cde15_e.html|accessdate=18 April 2007|title=Lactarius rubrilacteus Hesler & Smith|publisher=British Columbia Ectomycorrhizal Research Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526150930/http://www.pfc.forestry.ca/biodiversity/bcern/description/description-cde15_e.html|archive-date=26 May 2007|url-status=dead}} It bruises green, and is more commonly greenish in old, damaged, or unexpanded specimens (e.g. a "button" at the base).{{cite book|last1=Trudell|first1=Steve|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WevHvt6Tr8kC|title=Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest|last2=Ammirati|first2=Joe|publisher=Timber Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-88192-935-5|series=Timber Press Field Guides|location=Portland, OR|pages=60}}{{Cite book |last=Arora |first=David |author-link=David Arora |url=https://archive.org/details/arora-david-mushrooms-demystified-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-fleshy-fungi-ten-speed-press-1986/page/68/mode/2up |title=Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi |date=1986 |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn=978-0-89815-170-1 |edition=2nd |location=Berkeley, CA |pages=68-69 |orig-date=1979}} It has many laticifers which appear as a white network across its surface.
The cap of the mushroom is convex, sometimes shield-shaped, and {{convert|6-14|cm|frac=4}} across; it also has quite an underfolded margin and a depressive disk. The stem is coloured like the cap,{{Cite book |last=Telander |first=Todd |title=Mushrooms |date=2023 |publisher=Falcon Guides |isbn=978-1-4930-6558-5 |edition=2nd |series=A Falcon Field Guide |location=Essex, CT |pages=2}} up to 6 cm long and 2.5 cm thick.
When sliced or cut, the mushroom flesh will typically release a dark red to purple latex or milky substance. The flesh will lose colour when damaged, and is usually granular or brittle to the touch. The fungus exudes a slight odour that is faintly aromatic.
The spores are creamy white or yellow and ellipsoid in shape. The spore print is beige.
= Chemical reactivity =
- 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.
- 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.
- Sulfovanillin: Most of the mushroom becomes a reddish-brown color, but the oldest roots of the fungi stay unaltered by contact with sulfovanillin.
= Similar species =
Lactarius deliciosus is a related species, but its cap differs in appearance. L. sanguifluus (also known as bleeding milkcap){{Cite journal |last=Thiers |first=Harry D. |last2=Arora |first2=David |date=September 1980 |title=Mushrooms Demystified |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3759750 |journal=Mycologia |volume=72 |issue=5 |pages=1054 |doi=10.2307/3759750 |issn=0027-5514|url-access=subscription }} is similar, perhaps even synonymous, and is mycorrhizal with pine in Europe. Additionally, L. barrowsii, L. paradoxus and L. subpurpureus may be similar.
Distribution and habitat
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. It is widely distributed in these areas between the months of June and October.
Uses
The mushroom is edible,{{cite book |last=Miller Jr. |first=Orson K. |title=North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi |last2=Miller |first2=Hope H. |publisher=FalconGuide |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-7627-3109-1 |location=Guilford, CN |pages=89}} but has a grainy texture and is of little interest.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q6468953}}
Category:Fungi described in 1979