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Lactarius rubriviridis

[ Agaricomycetes > Russulales > Russulaceae > Lactarius . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

This mushroom, believe it or not, belongs in the genus Lactarius, despite the fact that it is an underground, truffle-like lump that lacks a cap, stem, or gills. However, it does exude "latex" like a "normal" Lactarius, and it stains green like the species in the Lactarius deliciosus group--to which it actually belongs, according to DNA results. And, under the microscope, its spores are decidedly Lactarius-like.

Lactarius rubriviridis is apparently a rare species, known only from northern California and central Oregon. It is associated with conifers.

Thanks to Laurence Boomer for collecting, documenting, and preserving Lactarius rubriviridis for study; his collection is deposited in The Herbarium of Michael Kuo.

Description:

Ecology: Mycorrhizal with conifers; summer and fall; northern California and central Oregon.

Fruiting Body: 2-6 cm; egg-shaped, ellipsoid, or nearly round; outer surface pitted and ridged, reddish brown, bruising and discoloring greenish to green; interior chambered and pocketed, with white flesh that stains red when sliced; usually with a central column-like structure (the illustrated collection is apparently aberrant, with its large central fleshy area).

Milk: Scant; red.

Odor and Taste: Odor sweet or not distinctive; taste mild.

Spore Print: Creamy or orangish.

Microscopic Features: Spores 8.5-11 x 7.5-8.5 µ; broadly ellipsoid; ornamentation with prominences 0.5-1 µ high; connecting lines forming well developed reticula.


REFERENCES: Desjardin, Saylor & Thiers, 2003. (Desjardin, 2003; Nuytinck, Miller & Vedrbeken, 2006; Bessette, Harris & Bessette, 2009; Kuo & Methven, 2010.) Herb. Kuo 06090901.


This site contains no information about the edibility or toxicity of mushrooms.


 

Lactarius rubriviridis

Lactarius rubriviridis

Lactarius rubriviridis

Lactarius rubriviridis



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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2009, December). Lactarius rubriviridis. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/lactarius_rubriviridis.html