Lactarius scrobiculatus

Lactarius scrobiculatus is a basidiomycete fungus, belonging to the genus Lactarius, whose members are called "milk caps." Taxonomy places this species into subgenus Piperites, section Zonarii, subsection Scrobiculati.[3] The distinctive fruiting bodies of this large fungus are locally common in forests throughout Europe and North America. It is regarded as inedible by some authors, but it is nevertheless eaten in parts of Europe.

Lactarius scrobiculatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Division:
Basidiomycota
Class:
Agaricomycetes
Order:
Russulales
Family:
Russulaceae
Genus:
Lactarius
Species:
L. scrobiculatus
Binomial name
Lactarius scrobiculatus
(Scop.) Fr. (1838)[1]
Synonyms[2]

Agaricus scrobiculatus Scop. (1772)
Agaricus intermedius Fr. (1815)
Galorrheus scrobiculatus (Scop.) P.Kumm. (1871)
Lactifluus scrobiculatus (Scop.) Kuntze (1891)

Lactarius scrobiculatus
float
Mycological characteristics
gills on hymenium
cap is depressed
hymenium is decurrent
stipe is bare
spore print is cream
ecology is mycorrhizal
edibility: inedible

Description

Lactarius scrobiculatus produces large agaricoid fruiting bodies which arise from soil. The cap has an eye-catching orange to yellow coloration and is covered with small scales arranged in indistinctive concentric rings. The surface is wet, glossy and slimy especially in wet weather. The cap may be wide, with a large diameter (about 15 cm in mature specimens), but with a depressed centre and slightly inrolled margin. The gills are crowded and coloured cream to yellow, with darker patches being present sometimes. When cut, the gills bleed copious amounts of a white to cream milk (latex), which soon darkens to yellow. The stem, in relation to the cap, is quite short and stubby. The surface is cap-coloured but the presence of small pits, filled with fluid, is a key identifying feature. The stem is hollow. The spores are coloured creamy with an elliptical-globular shape.[4]

When a small piece of flesh is chewed, it tastes bitter to acrid. So acrid, that a researcher reportedly developed a numbness in the mouth, having nibbled on a piece.[5] It doesn't have any discernible smell.

There are several recognised varieties, including var. canadensis. var. montanus and var. pubescens.[6]

Distribution

Lactarius scrobiculatus is known to occur throughout Europe, and to a lesser extent North America where its occurrence is rare.[7] It occurs primarily in coniferous and birch forests.[8] It forms mycorrhizal relationships and appears to prefer damp, shady and boggy areas. The fruiting bodies appear in troops, sometimes forming fairy rings and only rarely occur singly. The fruiting season of L. scrobiculatus is summer to autumn.

Closeup of gills and stem, showing latex.

Edibility

Most authors consider Lactarius scrobiculatus inedible.[9][10][11] It is collected and eaten in parts of eastern Europe and Russia after salting, pickling and thorough cooking.[12] Consuming it irritates the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms of gastrointestinal syndrome.[13] Careful preparation seeks to neutralise the acrid taste. This usually involves a process of boiling, during which the water is discarded. Further cooking and pickling may not eliminate the possibility of distressing symptoms.[5]

See also

References
  1. http://www.indexfungorum.org/Names/NamesRecord.asp?RecordID=196637 Index Fungorum
  2. "Lactarius scrobiculatus (Scop.) Fr. 1838". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  3. List of Lactarius species
  4. Mabey, Richard (1993). Mushrooms & Toadstools of Britain and Europe. David & Charles. p. 106. ISBN 0-7153-0155-1.
  5. "Poisonous and Hallucinogenic Mushrooms". The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
  6. "Lactarius scrobiculatus varieties". Russulales News. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
  7. "Rogers Mushrooms - Lactarius scrobiculatus". Rogers Mushrooms. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
  8. Vishnevskiy M. (2007). Настольная Книга Начинающего Грибника (in Russian). Восток - Запад. p. 60. ISBN 978-5-478-00694-5.
  9. Mabey R. (1994). Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe. David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-0155-1.
  10. "Lactarius scrobiculatus at NaGrzyby" (in Polish). NaGrzyby.pl. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  11. Phillips, Roger (2010) [2005]. Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
  12. "Fungi of Kaluga Oblast: Lactarius scrobiculatus" (in Russian). Vyacheslav Stepanov. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  13. Hall. I.R. (2003). Edible and poisonous mushrooms of the world. Portland: Timber Press. p. 110. ISBN 0-88192-586-1.
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