Lactarius volemus

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Mushrooms

By Roger Phillips

Published 2006

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Lactarius volemus (Fr.) Fr. (illustrated 60% life size) Cap 5–11cm across, convex with a depression; apricot to tawny, fleshy, firm, shortly velvety to smooth, not sticky. Stem 40–120×10–30mm; concolorous with cap but usually paler; shortly velvety to smooth, solid. Flesh whitish; firm. Gills slightly decurrent, narrow, somewhat closely spaced; pale golden-yellow, bruising brown; easily breaking. Gill cystidia abundant, with thick, wavy walls. Milk white, abundant; taste mild, smell fishy. Spores 8–10×8–9.5¼, spherical; ridges thick, a few thin, forming a complete network. Spore print whitish (B). Cap surface cellular, cap and stem surfaces with spindle-shaped, tapering cystidia. Habitat with coniferous and broad-leaved trees; summer to autumn. Uncommon. Edible and good.