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LACTARIUS
LACTARIUS DELICIOSUS (L. ex Fr.) Gray Edible
Figures 57, 58, page 27; Figure 412, page 295
Delicious Lactarius
PILEUS 2-5 in. broad, fleshy, firm, at first convex-umbilicate, then expanded
and depressed in the center, reddish orange, often with brighter, con-
centric zones, fading to grayish or gray-green, glabrous, viscid when moist,
margin at first inrolled, then arched and spreading, flesh whitish, stained
orange when broken and then becoming greenish, latex orange, reddish
orange, or carrot colored, mild, lamellae adnate-decurrent, close, rather
narrow, bright orange, becoming greenish when bruised, stipe 1 J/2-4 in. long,
1/2-% in. thick, equal or narrowed at the base, pruinose to glabrous, colored
like the pileus or paler, often with orange spots, stuff*ed, becoming hollow.
SPORES faintly yellowish, subglobose, 8-10.5 X 7-8.5 /x, ornamented with lines
and ridges forming a more or less complete reticulum, a few separate warts.
It grows scattered or in groups on the ground under conifers in moist
woods or boggy places. July-Oct.
The 'dehcious lactarius' is one of the more important edible mushrooms.
It is easily recognized by the orange latex and the color. The greenish stains
that develop on the broken flesh are somewhat unattractive in appearance but
do not aff'ect the edible quahties. It is of good flavor and can often be found in
abundance.
In the past this species has been confused with a very similar one recently
recognized by Dr. A. H. Smith, L. thyinos, which can be distinguished by its
viscid stipe, and more strongly decurrent and more distant lamellae. The two
species can be recognized in the field with a little experience but since both are
edible, critical determination is of no importance to those collecting them for
food. The western species, L. sanguifluus Fr., might also be mistaken for
L. deliciosus but can be distinguished by its dark blood-red to purplish red
latex. L. sanguifluus is also edible.
LACTARIUS GRISEUS Peck Not edible
Figure 60, page 27
PILEUS 1/2-1 Vi in. broad, rather flaccid, at first convex, becoming deeply
depressed to infundibuliform, smoky gray, usually darker at center, not zoned,
dry, tomentose, the hairs forming small, erect points, margin incurved at first,
then arched, flesh white, thin, latex white, unchanging, slowly acrid, lamellae
adnate to decurrent, close to subdistant, rather broad, white, then cream
to yellowish, stipe 1/2-2 in. long, 1 /16-3/16 in. thick, equal, glabrous, whitish
or grayish, paler than the pileus, stuff'ed then hollow, spores ellipsoid to
subglobose, white, 6-8.5 X 5-6. 5)u, ornamented with a nearly complete reticulum
of heavy bands and occasional separate warts.
Usually in groups on very rotten wood or on the ground. July-Sept.
Because of its small size and acrid taste it is of no value as food, but it is a
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