Lactarius ID Thoughts Anyone ?

[Lancashire Lad]

Found these today in grass adjacent to Fagus, at a rarely visited (by me) site. I was so convinced that I'd seen identical looking ones in my books, I never bothered tasting the milk etc.

However, as soon as I looked in my books, the confidence disappeared as none of the photos actually do seem to look remotely like them

I've seen lots of L.blennius at my other favourite sites recently and all those are very much the same, "duller" not having as striking banding/blotching as these have. Would these still be within the L.blennius range of variation?



Regards,
Mike.

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Found these today in grass adjacent to Fagus, at a rarely visited (by me) site. I was so convinced that I'd seen identical looking ones in my books, I never bothered tasting the milk etc.

However, as soon as I looked in my books, the confidence disappeared as none of the photos actually do seem to look remotely like them

I've seen lots of L.blennius at my other favourite sites recently and all those are very much the same, "duller" not having as striking banding/blotching as these have. Would these still be within the L.blennius range of variation?



Regards,
Mike.

Certainly not L. blennius will need further investigation. Will get back to you.

Andy

[Chris Yeates]

I wouldn't immediately have ruled out L. blennius, but bow to Andy's greater experience of 'big stuff' . . . . what are the alternatives? L. flexuosus ?

I shall follow this with interest

Chris

[ashgale]

having found several different Lactarius species today, and trying to find id's for them, i came across two or three pictures of L.trivialis, which although not as striking as these specimens, did resemble them somewhat,
probably not even close, but nothing else seems to be any thing like these, apart from the already dismissed L.blenniuis,


ashgale,
p:s while on the subject of lactarius, is the A to Z entry for L.helvus correct ?, as it does not look like a Lactarius,

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by ashgale

p:s while on the subject of lactarius, is the A to Z entry for L.helvus correct ?, as it does not look like a Lactarius,

suspect you're right - looks collybioid - scarcely the 'gills decurrent' of the description

C

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

I wouldn't immediately have ruled out L. blennius, but bow to Andy's greater experience of 'big stuff' . . . . what are the alternatives? L. flexuosus ?

I shall follow this with interest

Chris

Yes I was a bit hasty to rule out L. blennius wasn't I? Must of been in a rather challenging train of thought.........I don't think L. flexuosus and until anything else presents itself I would keep L. blennius firmly in the frame. However, I have never seen this species with such accenuated zonal markings as those shown in the picture, it usually has faded zones or just a dotted margin. But we all know how these things can vary between one collection and another. I haven't had a chance to consult on this yet so will keep this open.

Andy

[Lancashire Lad]

Just for comparison with what I would expect a typical Lactarius blennius to be like. Here's a shot from today taken at another site where I see them quite regularly: -


Regards,
Mike.