"L"otsa mushrooms here

[Dave W]

The letter "L" represents quite a challenge for me. There are many fungal genera beginning with L. And the types are quite diverse. A few good edibles scattered throughout the list that follows. I've got a couple hours to kill before I plan to make a batch of Morel Bread Pudding to share at a party later.

Genus Laccaria does not include any toxic species, to my knowledge. But these mushrooms are mainly bland-tasting, with tough fibrous stalks. Some really nice-looking types here, as well as a host of boring tannish types that are really difficult to ID to species.

Laccaria laccata is probably the most common species. Most often I find this near pine.

Laccaria amethystina is one of the prettiest mushrooms I know. First photo below shows a couple found May 29 last year. That's very early! Second and third photos come from 2012.

Laccaria pumila, formerly called Laccaria altaica, is a charming little moss-dweller that features a striate to plicate cap margin, giving it the appearance of a tine flower. I *think* the photo below shows this species.

Laccaria ochropurpurea is the species featuring the largest mushrooms, at least here in my area. The caps are okay edibles when added to stir-fries. They add a chewy texture. The combination of ashy-gray cap, purple gills, and fibrous texture make this type fairly easy to ID... except there are some Cortinarius species that a beginner would be apt to confuse with this one.

And now, welcome to the world of Lactarius, the Milk Mushrooms. All species of Lactarius ooze a liquid from wounds, especially cuts across the gills. But some types contain very small amounts of latex, and almost any type may lose its latex during hot dry weather. So it may be difficult to observe in some cases. Some very good edibles, some bad-tasting types, and some toxic species are found within this larger genus. Some of the names seen below may have recently been changed to genus Lactifluus.

Lactarius dececptivus is very difficult to distinguish from Lactarius subvellerus. Neither type is considered edible; the taste is acrid. However, in some northern European areas these types are consumed after being specially prepared by a "salting" procedure.

Lactarius deceptivus

Lactarius subvellerus

Lactarius chrysorrheus has white latex that turns yellow and stains the mushroom flesh yellow. This one, as well as the similar but darker-capped Lactarius vinaceorufescens, is toxic.

Lactarius corrugis is an excellent edible. It features white latex that does not change color (but it stains the gills/flesh brown) and usually a corrugated cap surface.

Lactarius camphoratus is a small tawny mushroom that has a camphor-like odor.

Lactarius deterrimus is the eastern North American orange-latex milkie that stains green. Formerly known as Lactarius deliciosus (a European species), this species is not generally considered to be a good edible. But I think it's okay, and when I find a nice patch of fresh firm ones, I collect them to eat. They have a crunchy texture and tend to take on the flavor of the dish they are added to. Young ones may be very light colored with no green stain evident.

Lactarius gerardii has widely spaced gills. I find it where conifers mix with birch. Not considered a good edible.

Lactarius helvus is listed as Lactarius aquifluus in most NA field guides. It smells like maple syrup and tastes really good... but it's mildly toxic. It took me several belly-aches to finally write this one off as inedible. This fairly large mushroom has a thick stalk that becomes hollow. I find it in mossy areas with birch.

Lactarius hibbardae is also called Lactarius mammosus. There seems to be a lack of agreement about the NA species name. This grayish-capped milky smells like coconut. I have not tried eating it and have no info to share regarding its edibility.

Lactarius hygrophoroides is now called Lactifluus hygrophoroides. It's one of the most popular edibles in the genus. Fairly easy to learn to ID... widely-spaced gills, white latex usually abundant which does niot change color, little or no staining of flesh, mild flavor.

Lactarius volemus is another very good edible. It features abundant white latex that stains flesh brown, and tightly-spaced gills. The sticky latex will stain your fingers brown. It has a fishy odor, and you may notice this while it cooks. The flavor and texture are very good. Except for the gill spacing, very similar to Lactarius hygrophoroides, and I sometimes find the two types growing in the same area.

Lactarius speciosus is a showy mushroom, with it's highly color contrasted concentric bands. Similar to the "bearded milkies" this one features longish hairs along the cap margin. Probably inedible.

Lactarius lignyotus is an attractive mushroom that features a pointed central umbo atop the dark velvety cap.

Lactarius subpurpureus is a silvery-purplish mushroom that features scant wine-red latex. A decent edible. I find it always where there are hemlock trees.

Lactarius subplinthogalus is also known as Lactarius marylandicus. It features widely-spaced gills. Gills and flesh stain pink when injured.

Lactarius griseus is a small grayish moss dweller.

Lactarius luteolus is like a white Lactarius volemus, including the fishy odor. Gills are bit more separated than with Lactarius volemus.

Lactarius uvidus has gills that stain violet/purplish.

Lactarius turpis is greenish funky-looking blackish-staining milkie with a scrobiculate stalk surface... scattered "potholes".

Lactarius oculatus features a reddish cap with a pointed umbo.

Lactarius pubescens has a bearded cap margin.

Lactarius piperatus is a very hot-tasting mushroom with tight gills and abundant latex. I have eaten these with no ill effects after boiling repeatedly and pickling. Ones with green-staining latex are called Lactarius glaucescens, as seen in the photos below.

Lactarius mucidus has a dark shiny/sticky cap surface.

Okay, I need to take a break. So one more Lactarius before I post this first half of "L". To be continued.

Here's an interesting species which I IDed for the first time this past summer. Lactarius hysginus.

There are additional species of Lactarius represented in my files. But these are mainly difficult to distinguish fairly boring brownish types that inspire low confidence for the person trying to ID. But I think there's more than enough Lactarius species represented here :-) I'll resume "L" at some point and begin with Leccinum.

[John Smalldridge]

Really great lactarius post! I can't wait to see leccinum!

[Dave W]

I've got plenty of Leccinum photos, but few confident IDs. The grayish, brownish, red, and orange capped eastern scaber stalks are grouped into species separated by subtle staining differences, chemical reaction, and/or tree association.

Plenty of other goodies fill out "L".