Lactarius salmonicolor

Lactarius salmonicolor is a species of fungus in the family Russulaceae. It is an edible mushroom native to most of Europe as well as in bogs and conifer forests of Canada, the Great Lakes region and the north-eastern United States.[1] The species derives its name from the term "salmonicolor," meaning salmon colored in Latin.[3] It is majorly exploited in Europe for its culinary uses.[3]

Lactarius salmonicolor
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Russulales
Family: Russulaceae
Genus: Lactarius
Species:
L. salmonicolor
Binomial name
Lactarius salmonicolor
R. Heim & Leclair (1953)[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Lactarius salmoneus R. Heim & Leclair (1950)
  • Lactarius subsalmoneus Pouzar (1954)
  • Lactarius thyinos A.H. Smith (1960)
  • Lactarius salmonicolor f. brigantiacus L. Rémy (1965)
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Gills on hymenium
Cap is depressed or convex
Hymenium is decurrent
Stipe is bare
Spore print is yellow-orange
Ecology is mycorrhizal
Edibility is edible or choice

Description

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Lactarius salmonicolor can be found throughout most of Europe (see map) from September to November, the species' growing season. The fungus grows primarily near to the roots of fir trees, where it receives nutrients for its growth, participating in ectomycorrhiza with the roots of its host plant.[3][1] The top of the pileus is an orange-reddish color, with rare spots of green in older decaying specimens. The cap is also slightly depressed in the center after an initial convexity, and irregularly shaped, sometimes with lobes. The surface of the cap is also smooth and viscid.[1][3][4] On the underside of the cap, the lamellas are evenly spaced, with gills occasionally splitting as they become decurrent on the beginning of the stipe. They are salmon-orange and usually slightly lighter than the top of the cap; however they turn red after bruising.[1]

The stipe is cylindrical and more often long and slender, but rarely it can be found as short and thick.[3] The spore deposit is pale yellow to orange in color, and spores have variations such as ridges and warts on the surface up to 0.5 μm high.[1]

Culinary uses and edibility

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Milky agaric cooked at Bolu province, Turkey

This fungus, like most milky caps, is often used in cuisine. Due to its common use throughout different cultures of Europe, it has developed many common names such as "fungo del sangue" ("blood fungus" in Italian), "lactaire couleur de saumon" ("salmon colored milk cap" in French), "milky agaric" (UK), and many more.[3] L. salmonicolor has a mild and slightly acrid flavor but becomes bitter after time.[1]

Images

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Nuytinck, Jorinde (2004–2005). Lactarius section Deliciosi (Russulales, Basidiomycota) and its ectomycorrhiza: a morphological and molecular approach (PDF) (PhD). Universiteit Gent, Faculteit Wetenschappen, Vakgroep Biologie. pp. 86–89.
  2. ^ "Species Fungorum - GSD Species". www.speciesfungorum.org. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Mazza, Giuseppe (2008-08-09). "Lactarius salmonicolor". Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  4. ^ "Russulales News / Lactarius salmoneus". www.mtsn.tn.it. Archived from the original on 2011-08-05. Retrieved 2019-04-17.