Lactarius fallax
Brittonia 14: 405. 1962.
Common Name: none
For description see Hesler & Smith & 'California Mushrooms'.
Scattered, gregarious, to caespitose in duff or well-rotted logs, in coastal coniferous forests, especially in association with Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). Common, fall and winter.
Edible.
Lactarius fallax can be distinguished by its velvety dark brown cap, creamy gills, and brown stipe. There are two varieties: L. fallax var. fallax with brown marginate gills and L. fallax var. concolor where the margin of the gills is concolorous with rest of the gills.
Bessette, A.E., Harris, D.B. & Bessette, A.R. (2009). Milk Mushrooms of North America: A Field Guide to the Genus Lactarius. Syracuse University Press: Syracuse, NY. 298 p.
Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
Hesler, L.R. & Smith, A.H. (1979). North American Species of Lactarius. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor, MI. 841 p. (PDF)
Methven, A.S. (1997). The Agaricales (Gilled Fungi) of California. 10. Russulaceae II. Lactarius. Mad River Press: Eureka, CA. 79 p. (Description)
Methven, A.S. (1998). Lactarius in California and Beyond: Introduction to Subgenera and Species of Lactarius in California. Privately Published: Charleston, IL. 22 p. (PDF)
Siegel, N. & Schwarz, C. (2016). Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 601 p.
Siegel, N., Mohatt, K. & Trudell, S. (2025). Mushrooms of Alaska. Timber Press: New York, NY. 572 p.
Smith, A.H. & Hesler, L.R. (1962). Studies on Lactarius--III. The North American Species of Section Plinthogali. Brittonia 14: 369-440. (PDF)
