Lactarius luculentus var. laetus
NA Species of Lactarius: 456. 1979.
Common Name: none
Variety: Lactarius luculentus Burl., Mycologia 28(3): 260. 1936.
For description see Hesler & Smith & Hesler & Smith
Scattered to gregarious in duff, moss, or ground in coastal coniferous-deciduous forests in association with Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). Uncommon, fall and early winter.
Unknown.
Lactarius luculentus var. laetus is distinguished by a glabrous, subviscid to viscid, orange to orange-brown azonate pileus, taste which is mild to slightly bitter, white unchanging and unstaining latex, and a white spore deposit. Lactarius subviscidus is similar but has white latex that slowly changes to yellow or stains yellow, and an acrid taste. Similar mild-tasting species include Lactarius rubidus, Lactarius rufulus, and Lactarius thiersii, which have dry to moist caps, never viscid.
Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 959 p.
Burlingham, G.S. (1936). New or Noteworthy Species of Russula and Lactaria. Mycologia 28(3): 253-267. (Protologue) (PDF)
Hesler, L.R. & Smith, A.H. (1979). North American Species of Lactarius. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor, MI. 841 p. (PDF) (Protologue)
Methven, A.S. (1997). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 10. Russulaceae II. Lactarius. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 79 p.
Siegel, N. & Schwarz, C. (2016). Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 601 p.
