Lactifluus foetens and Lf. albomembranaceus sp. nov. (Russulaceae): look-alike milkcaps from gallery forests in tropical Africa

Abstract

The ectomycorrhizal milkcap genus Lactifluus is commonly found within Central and West African gallery forests. During field expeditions in Cameroon and Togo, several collections of white Lactifluus species were found, resembling Lactifluus foetens. Molecular and morphological research indicates that these collections belong to two unrelated species, i.e. Lactifluus foetens and an undescribed taxon. The latter is here described as Lactifluus albomembranaceus sp. nov. from the gallery forests in Central and Western Africa. In Cameroon, at least, Lactifluus albomembranaceus is a popular edible fungus that is harvested for personal consumption and offered for sale at local markets.