Lactarius deliciosus (Fries) S.F. Gray
Nat. Arr. Brit. Pls. 1: 624. 1821.

Common Name: none

• Pileus

  Cap 5-13 cm broad, convex, becoming centrally depressed and vase-shaped; margin incurved, sometimes upturned in age; surface viscid when moist; color variable: various shades of orange and green arranged in concentric zones, orange often fading, while green tones continue to develop, predominating at maturity; flesh yellowish-orange, when cut yielding an orange latex soon turning green; taste, slightly bitter.

• Lamellae

  Gills close, subdecurrent, orange, greenish in age, bleeding an orange latex that stains green.

• Stipe

  Stipe 3-6 cm tall, 1.5-2.5 cm thick, equal to sometimes tapered at the base, orange, dry, occasionally with flattened pits (scrobiculations), bruising and staining green with age; veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 7.5-11 x 6-7.5 µm, broadly elliptical, with amyloid reticulations. Spore print creamy-buff.

• Habitat

  Solitary, scattered to gregarious under pines; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

• Edibility

  Edible and good if cooked properly. Lactarius deliciosus requires long, slow cooking to eliminate the grainy texture and slightly bitter flavor. It is also good grilled.

• Comments

  According to Alexander Smith, Lactarius deliciosus is a species complex and no attempt is made here to separate the varieties. The species is easily recognized in the field by its vase-shaped fruiting body (at maturity), orange and green concentrically-zoned cap and orange latex which stains green and pine habitat. Lactarius rubrilacteus is similar but has a more reddish-orange cap and reddish latex and in the Bay Area is associated with Douglas Fir.

• References

  Methven, A.S. (1997). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 10. Russulaceae II. Lactarius. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 79 p.
  Hesler, L.R. & Smith, A.H. (1979). North American Species of Lactarius. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor, MI. 841 p.
  Nuytinck, J., Miller, S.L. & Verbeken, A. (2006). A taxonomical treatment of the North and Central American species in Lactarius sect. Deliciosi. Mycotaxon 96: 261-307.
  Nuytinck, J., Verbeken, A. & Miller, S.L. (2007). Worldwide phylogeny of Lactarius section Deliciosi inferred from ITS and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene sequences. Mycologia 99(6): 820-832.
  Smith, A.H. (1949). Mushrooms in their Natural Habitats. Sawyer's Inc: Portland, OR. 626 p.
  

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Brother Alfred Brousseau: Lactarius deliciosus (CP) -- Shows zonate cap typical of Lactarii
  • Fred Stevens: Lactarius deliciosus (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Lactarius deliciosus (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Lactarius deliciosus (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Lactarius deliciosus (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Lactarius deliciosus (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Lactarius deliciosus (CP) -- These faded sporocarps would be hard to recognize until you turn one over!
  • MICH Fungal Bioinformatics Project: Lactarius deliciosus var. areolatus (D & I)
  • MICH Fungal Bioinformatics Project: Lactarius deliciosus var. deliciosus (D)
  • MICH Fungal Bioinformatics Project: Lactarius deliciosus var. olivaceosordidus (D)
  • MICH Fungal Bioinformatics Project: Lactarius deliciosus var. piceus (D & I)
  • Espais Naturals: Lactarius deliciosus (D & CP)
  • Associació Micològica Joaquim Codina: Lactarius deliciosus (D & CP)
  • Russulales News: Lactarius deliciosus (D & CP)
  • Svampbok: Lactarius deliciosus (D & CP)
  • Page perso de JJ.Wuilbaut: Lactarius deliciosus (CP)
  • Pilze, Pilze, Pilze: Lactarius deliciosus (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Lactarius deliciosus (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 68 (D), plate 2 (CP)
  • Arora (1991): p. 16 (D & CP)
  • Fischer & Bessette: p. 60 (D), p. 61 (CP)
  • Jordan: p. 302 (D & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 683 (D), plate 312 (CP)
  • McKenny et al.: p. 71 (D& CP)
  • Methven: p. 22 (D) [var. areolatus]
  • Methven: p. 23 (D) [var. deliciosus]
  • Methven: p. 24 (D) [var. olivaceosoridus]
  • Methven: p. 25 (D) [var. piceus]
  • Miller: sp. 66 (D & CP)
  • Phillips: p. 86 (D & CP)
  • Smith: sp. 186 (D & CP)
  • Smith & Weber: sp. 234 (D & CP)
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)