Lactarius controversus

Lactifluus controversus Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Division: Basidiomycota Class: Agaricomycetes Order: Russulales Family: Russulaceae Genus: Lactarius Species: L. controversus Binomial name Lactarius controversus (Pers.) (1800) Lactarius controversus Mycological characteristics gills on hymenium cap is depressed hymenium is decurrent stipe is bare spore print is white ecology is mycorrhizal edibility: inedible

Lactarius controversus is a large funnel-capped fungus within the genus Lactarius, which are collectively known as 'milk caps'. They all exude milky drops (lactate) from the flesh and gills when damaged. It has no common English name.

Taxonomy

Accredited to Christian Hendrik Persoon, one of the fathers of mycology.

Description

It is distinguishable mainly by its pinkish-buff gills and rosy markings on the upper cap surface, often arranged in concentric rings. Like other fungi in the genus, it has crumbly, rather than fibrous, flesh, and when this is broken the fungus exudes a white milky liquid. Mature specimens are funnel-shaped, with decurrent gills and a concave cap. It has firm, tough flesh, and a stipe which is shorter than the fruitbody is wide. The spore print is creamy-pink in colour.

L. controversus is similar to several white milk-caps in the genus Lactifluus which however are only distantly related: The 'fleecy milk-cap' Lactifluus vellereus, its sister species Lf. bertillonii, and the 'peppery milk-cap' Lf. piperatus all lack the pinkish gills and 'rosy' cap markings.

Underside, showing pinkish gills.

Close up showing rosy cap markings

Distribution and habitat

It is found in Britain, and Europe, and usually grows with species of Salix (Goat willow or Creeping willow) on heaths and moors.It is uncommon.^[1] It is widespread in North America growing with aspen, poplar, and willow. Found in the aspen forests of the Sierra Nevada, and has been noted in New Mexico.^[2]

Edibility

This mushroom is inedible due to its very acrid taste, and is probably best avoided.

See also

• List of Lactarius species

References

1. Roger Phillips (2006). Mushrooms. Pan MacMillan. ISBN 0-330-44237-6.
2. David Arora (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 0-89815-169-4.