alleac's Identifications

Under pine tree in Griffith park

Comments
Lactarius alnicola is distinguished by a viscid, vanilla-colored, slightly zonate cap, white, usually unchanging latex and a yellow-brown spotted stipe. It is rather common in our area under Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak) where inexperienced collectors sometimes mistake if for the yellow chanterelle, Cantharellus cibarius. It is a mistake made only once as the taste is unforgettably peppery. Ironically, despite its species name, Lactarius alnicola is not common under alder.