Global InformationLactifluus volemus information
| Lactifluus volemus | |
|---|---|
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| A collection from Wayne National Forest, Ohio, showing typical colour variations | |
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| Lactifluus volemus var. flavus | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Russulales |
| Family: | Russulaceae |
| Genus: | Lactifluus |
| Species: | L. volemus
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| Binomial name | |
| Lactifluus volemus (Fr.) Kuntze (1891)
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| Synonyms[1][2][3] | |
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List
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Lactifluus volemus Mycological characteristics | |
|---|---|
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is convex |
 | Hymenium is adnate or decurrent |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is white |
 | Ecology is mycorrhizal |
 | Edibility is choice |
Lactifluus volemus, formerly known as Lactarius volemus, and commonly known as the weeping milk cap or bradley[4], is a species of fungus in the family Russulaceae. It is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, in temperate regions of Europe, North America and Asia as well as some subtropical and tropical regions of Central America and Asia. A mycorrhizal fungus, its fruit bodies grow on the ground at the base of various species of trees from summer to autumn, either individually or in groups. It is valued as an edible mushroom, and is sold in markets in Asia. Several other Lactifluus mushrooms resemble L. volemus, such as the closely related edible species L. corrugis, but these can be distinguished by differences in distribution, visible morphology, and microscopic characteristics. L. volemus produces a white spore print and has roughly spherical spores about 7–8 micrometres in diameter.
The colour of the L. volemus mushroom varies from apricot to tawny, and the cap may be up to 11 cm (4+1⁄2 in) wide. The pale golden yellow gills on the underside of the cap are closely spaced and sometimes forked. One of the mushroom's most distinctive features is the large amount of latex ("milk") that it exudes when the gills are damaged, leading to the common names weeping milk cap and voluminous-latex milky. It also has a distinctive fishy smell, which does not affect the taste. The fruit bodies have been chemically analysed and found to contain several sterols related to ergosterol, some of which are unique to this species. The mushroom also contains a natural rubber that has been chemically characterized. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Lactifluus volemus represents several species or subspecies, rather than a single taxon.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
urlFungorum - Species synonymywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Smith1979was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Wang2007was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms demystified: a comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi (Second ed.). Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 978-0-89815-169-5.