Lactarius olympianus

Lactarius olympianus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Russulales
Family:	Russulaceae
Genus:	Lactarius
Species:	L. olympianus
Binomial name
Lactarius olympianus Hesler & A.H. Sm.

Lactarius olympianus
Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is depressed
	Hymenium is adnate or subdecurrent
	Stipe is bare
	Spore print is cream
	Ecology is mycorrhizal
	Edibility is not recommended

Lactarius olympianus, commonly known as the olympic milk cap, ^[1] is a species of mushroom in the family Russulaceae.

Description

The cap of Lactarius olympianus is orange in color and about 5-10 centimeters in diameter. It is depressed, and frequently has concentric zones. The gills are yellowish or cream-colored, and sometimes stain brown. They are adnate to subdecurrent. ^[1] The stipe is white in color and about 2-5 centimeters long and up to 2 centimeters wide. It bruises yellowish to brownish. The spore print is creamy. ^[2] When cut, this mushroom produces milky white latex. ^[3] This mushroom has an acrid taste. ^[1]

Habitat and ecology

Lactarius olympianus is mycorrhizal and can be found in the Western United States. ^[2] It grows under fir ^[1] and spruce at high elevations. ^[2] In the Cascades, it is more often found with fir on the western side and with Engelmann spruce on the eastern side. ^[1]

References

1. Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 256. ISBN   9781941624197.
2. "Lactarius olympianus (MushroomExpert.Com)". www.mushroomexpert.com. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
3. Trudell, Steve (October 25, 2022) [January 1, 2009]. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides (Revised ed.). Portland, OR: Timber Press. pp. 72–73. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.