Syn.: Hypolyssus lactifluorum (Schwein.) Kuntze, Sphaeria lactifluorum Schwein.
Family: Hypocreaceae De Not.
Distribution: North American species, common only in certain areas. Common in Pacific northwest, especially in British Columbia and the state of Washington.
Ecology: Solitary, scattered or gregarious in coniferous and mixed forests, often partially buried in humus, covered by dirt and needles. Fruits from July to October.
Description: Brightly coloured parasite on Lactarius, Russula and Cantharellus subalbidus. Fruiting body fully engulfs the host in a layer of roughened or pimpled, bright orange, to purple-red or yellow-orange tissue which is firm to the touch. Flesh crisp, white. Peritheca imbedded in the tissue of the host but protruding as small pimples. Spores are spindle shaped, sometimes caraway seed-shaped, 35–50 × 4–5 µm.
Edibility: Rated highly by many people for its crisp flesh and it is sold in markets in British Columbia and Washington.
These images were taken in Canada, British Columbia, Burton (by Karel Bergmann senior, September 2013) and USA, Washington, shopping centre in Seattle (by Karel Bergmann junior, 2013).
