- Proposed
- Under Assessment
- Preliminary Assessed
- LCAssessed
- 5Published
Lactarius pallescens Hesler & A.H. Sm.
- Scientific name
- Lactarius pallescens
- Author
- Hesler & A.H. Sm.
- Common names
- IUCN Specialist Group
Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Russulales
- Family
- Russulaceae
- Assessment status
- Assessed
- Preliminary Category
- LC
- Proposed by
- Noah Siegel
- Assessors
- Noah Siegel
- Comments etc.
- James Westrip
Assessment Notes
Justification
Lactarius pallescens is a locally common milk cap, occurring over a widespread area, with both conifers and hardwoods in western North America.
Population is widespread, and no decline has been observed. We recommend it should be listed as Least Concern (LC)
Taxonomic notes
Described based on an Idaho, USA Type collection (Hesler & Smith 1979).
The name Lactarius uvidius has been misapplies to this species in western North America, and it is occasionally confused with L. californiensis; a similar species with a darker cap (when young) and smaller spores.
The Alaskan Lactarius pallescens var. palmerensis (Hesler & Smith 1979) is likely a distinct species, and is not included in this assessment.
Reports on Mushroom Observer and Mycoportal (2021) from eastern North America appear to be misidentifications.
Why suggested for a Global Red List Assessment?
Lactarius pallescens is a locally common milk cap, occurring over a widespread area, with both conifers and hardwoods in western North America.
Population is widespread, and no decline has been observed. We recommend it should be listed as Least Concern (LC)
Geographic range
Northern California in coastal forests, throughout the Pacific Northwest in coastal, Coast Range and Cascade forests, east into the Rocky Mountains north into central British Columbia, Canada, possibly into Alaska.
Population and Trends
Population is widespread, and locally quite common; appears to be stable; no decline has been noted.
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat and Ecology
Ectomycorrhizal with a wide number of both conifers and hardwoods. in the southern portions of its range has been found with oaks (Quercus spp), but more often with conifers, especially with hemlock (Tsuga spp.) and fir (Abies spp.). Locally common, fruiting in fall.
Threats
No specific threats have been identified with regards to this species.
Conservation Actions
No specific conservation actions is needed with regards to this species. Investigate ‘fringe’ populations (ie . California oak associated collections, Alaska collections) with modern taxonomic tools.
Research needed
Investigate ‘fringe’ populations (ie . California oak associated collections, Alaska collections) with modern taxonomic tools.
Use and Trade
None known.
Bibliography
Hesler, L.R. and Smith, A.H. 1979. North American Species of Lactarius. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor, MI. 841 p.
iNaturalist. 2021. Available at: http://www.inaturalist.org
Methven, A.S. 1997. The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 10. Russulaceae II. Lactarius. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 79 p.
Mushroom Observer. 2021. http://www.mushroomobserver.org
MyCoPortal. 2021. http://mycoportal.org/portal/index.php. Accessed on January 11.
Siegel, N. and Schwarz, C. 2016. Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 601 p.
