Lactarius subvernalis is a species of mushroom that produces small to medium-sized fruiting bodies with orange-brown to reddish-brown caps and white to pale yellow gills. It is found in association with oak trees, particularly live oak and post oak, in East and Central Texas. The fungus typically fruits from May to October, with peak activity during the summer months. In this region, Lactarius subvernalis can be identified by its distinctive morphology and the presence of a milky latex that stains tissue yellow or green upon exposure to air.
Pale milkcap mushroom Lactarius subvernalis on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, May 19, 2018 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Dissected milkcap mushroom Lactarius subvernalis on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, May 19, 2018 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
White milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 4, 2018 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Group of milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 4, 2018 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Dissected milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 4, 2018 Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Dissected milkcap mushroom Lactarius subvernalis(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 26, 2018 1405 Bulle Rock Court, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 20, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Dissected milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 20, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
White cap of milkcap mushroom Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri and red seeds of coral beans on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, April 9, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Side view of a of milkcap mushroom Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, April 9, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Cross section of milkcap mushroom Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, April 9, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Zoned milkcap mushrooms Lactarius psammicola together with a dissected Lactarius subvernalis in low-lying area on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 17, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 9, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Cross section of milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 9, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, June 18, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, June 18, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Cross section of milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, June 18, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2021 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Cross section of milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2021 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of a large milkcap mushroom Lactarius subvernalis(?) near the park entrance in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 6, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Large milkcap mushroom Lactarius subvernalis(?) under small oaks in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 6, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 6, 2022 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis with cross section on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 6, 2022 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Spores of milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, June 6, 2022
Milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Cross section of milkcap mushrooms Lactarius subvernalis on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, May 6, 2023 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
AI-generated summary of observations
The fungus Lactarius subvernalis was observed in East and Central Texas from 2018 to 2023. The majority of sightings were in Sam Houston National Forest, specifically on the Lone Star Hiking Trail and Caney Creek Trail. Additional observations were made in Lick Creek Park in College Station. The mushrooms were typically found in low-lying areas and under oak trees. Variations of the species, including Lactarius subvernalis var. cokeri, were also noted. Observations included descriptions of the mushroom's cap, underside, and cross-section, as well as spore collection. The sightings occurred during various times of the year, with a concentration in spring and summer months. Overall, the observations suggest that Lactarius subvernalis is a relatively common species in East and Central Texas, particularly in wooded areas with oak trees.