Danny’s DNA Discoveries – Lactarius
by Danny Miller
Piperites clade - Milk that turns quickly yellow
Lactarius scrobiculatus var canadensis
This very common conifer species is genetically different from the European type variety. It is yellow with a bearded cap margin and yellow scrobiculate stalk.
Lactarius scrobiculatus var canadensis © Steve Trudell
Lactarius resimus
This rare, mixed forest European species is whitish capped, with a bearded margin and somewhat scrobiculate stalk. Lactarius alnicola is a related yellow capped mixed forest species, but its milk does not quickly turn yellow, so it will be described later. It may be somewhat bearded and somewhat scrobiculate. DNA has been found in BC so far. It, and its variety var regalis have been reported elsewhere around the PNW but we don't know if the variety has distinct DNA or not.
Lactarius resimus © Kit Scates Barnhart
L. xanthogalactus
This species described from mixed forests in California (especially Doug fir and oak) is probably in clade Russularia (it has no bearding nor scrobiculation) but has an orange cap and a white stalk. It also occurs in Oregon.
Lactarius xanthogalactus © Danny Miller
There are isolated, unconfirmed sequences of local DNA of related species so we probably don't know the whole picture yet.