About Lactifluus clarkeae (Cleland) Verbeken
Lactifluus clarkeae (Cleland) Verbeken is a species of mushroom-forming fungus that belongs to the family Russulaceae. It was formerly classified under the name Lactarius clarkeae. This fungus forms mycorrhizal associations and is found in Australia and New Zealand. It grows in association with tree species from the genus Nothofagus and plant species from the family Myrtaceae. It is commonly found in forests and woodlands that contain shrubs and trees including Eucalyptus and Leptospermum, both members of Myrtaceae, as well as Nothofagus. In New Zealand, mushrooms of this overall appearance that grow under Leptospermum are classified as L. clarkeae var. clarkeae. Mushrooms that grow in association with Nothofagus, also called southern beech, are now classified as L. aurantioruber, which was previously called L. clarkeae var. aurantioruber.
