Lactifluus volemus

Morphological Features:

Pileus Although smaller ecological forms exist, it typically has a diameter ranging from 5 to 10 cm in adult specimens. It is predominantly convex in shape, but older specimens become depressed in the central area. The surface is very dry and slightly rugulose, with a color that ranges from reddish-orange or reddish-brown when young to pale orange with an ochraceous tinge in maturity. It is finely pubescent or velvety in young individuals, but tends to lose this pubescence over time, and may even crack during dry periods. The margin is slightly involute when young, later becoming smooth and uniform, matching the color of the rest of the pileus.

Lamellae Adnate to slightly decurrent and relatively crowded, cream-colored with a slight yellowish tinge. The latex they may exude, upon drying on the lamellae, causes brownish staining.

Stipe Solid and full, pruinose, similar in color to the pileus or slightly paler, whitish near the lamellae.

Flesh Thick, compact, and solid, with a brittle texture, pale cream in color. It exudes an abundant, very fluid white latex that turns brown upon drying on various parts. Both the flesh and the latex have a sweet taste, while the odor is characteristic and pronounced, though not particularly pleasant.

Habitat:

This is a rare species under conifers, but common under various broadleaf trees in northern Iberia. We typically find it primarily in oak woodlands, though it may also occur in beech or chestnut forests. It is essentially a summer mushroom, quite thermophilic, although it can also fruit during early autumn. It usually grows solitary or in small groups.

Observations:

Despite its odor, it is an edible mushroom, one of the few white-laticed Lactarius species that can be consumed. In the other half of the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in the central and southern regions, a species with similar macroscopic characteristics occurs: Lactarius rugatus, which is superior in culinary quality to the present species. It differs by its more vibrant coloration, rugose pileus surface, faint odor, and microscopically by its somewhat verrucose ellipsoid spores, whereas the species presented here has globose and reticulate spores. Another, more dangerous possible confusion is with Lactarius torminosus, a toxic species with a zoned and hirsute pileus.