Lactifluus brunnescens

What it is

The African milkcap is the common name the catalogue gives to Lactifluus brunnescens, a milkcap of the Russulales. Its name refers to the latex that the fruiting body releases when cut. The species was described by Verbeken, and the combination Lactifluus brunnescens was published in 2012. Its earlier name Lactarius brunnescens is a synonym.

The cap is large, roughly 5 to 12 cm across, fleshy and firm, with a dry, dull surface that is strongly rough toward the margin and browns when handled. The gills are adnate and the stem is short and sturdy. The fresh latex is clear, then turns grey-orange and then dark brown.

Where it grows

The species is ectomycorrhizal and grows in miombo woodland with trees of the genera Brachystegia, Julbernardia, Uapaca and Marquesia. The catalogue places it in Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and records the supply as wild.

Food use and eating

The catalogue describes the species as a regional milkcap recorded in the edible-species inventory of EFTA. The EFTA species page read for this record does not describe food use, preparation or consumption. The taste note on that page describes the fungus itself, not a dish.

Because the food use is not established by the species page, no preparation is given here. Any preparation would need a dated, local source before it is recorded.

Safety and identification

The EFTA page makes no toxicity or safety statement for this species. The catalogue marks the record as needing separate validation of preparation, identity and current safety. Milkcaps are identified from latex colour and cap and gill features, and the page does not establish a safe method of preparation or an edibility verdict.

Notes and gaps

The catalogue's statement that the species is eaten needs a primary source before the page can describe its preparation or regional use. The synonym Lactarius brunnescens is kept for search.