Lactarius pallescens is a Western North American "milk-cap" mushroom, of which the milk turns violet when the flesh is damaged. The fungi generally identified as L. pallescens are part of a complex of closely related species and varieties which have a peppery taste and are difficult to delimit definitively.[1]
The gray-brown cap ranges from 3 to 10 cm in width, with a mucilaginous surface,[2] whitish flesh and white latex. The gills are whitish and sometimes slightly decurrent.[2] The viscid stalk ranges from 3 to 8 cm long and 1 to 2 cm wide. The spores are pale yellow to orange, elliptical, and bumpy. The flesh of the mushroom stains lilac.[3] In age, reddish stains develop.[2]
Lactarius pallescens is found on the West Coast of the United States. In the Pacific Northwest, it can be found in conifer forests.[2]
Lactarius uvidus (a close relative)[3][2] and Lactarius californiensis are similar.
Lactarius pallescens is a Western North American "milk-cap" mushroom, of which the milk turns violet when the flesh is damaged. The fungi generally identified as L. pallescens are part of a complex of closely related species and varieties which have a peppery taste and are difficult to delimit definitively.
The gray-brown cap ranges from 3 to 10 cm in width, with a mucilaginous surface, whitish flesh and white latex. The gills are whitish and sometimes slightly decurrent. The viscid stalk ranges from 3 to 8 cm long and 1 to 2 cm wide. The spores are pale yellow to orange, elliptical, and bumpy. The flesh of the mushroom stains lilac. In age, reddish stains develop.
