Lactarius - Ecology

Ecology

Lactarius is one of the most prominent genera of ectomycorrhizal fungi. With more than 400 species described worldwide, Lactarius taxa play a significant role as late-stage colonizers of trees and shrubs in a vast range of ecosystems, from boreal coniferous forests to temperate Mediterranean-type maquis. An interesting case is that of the strict association of selected Lactarius species - such as L. tesquorum and L. cistophilus - with Cistus spp., a group of about 20 woody, evergreen or semideciduous shrub species found in wide semi-arid areas from the Canary Islands throughout the Mediterranean region to the Caucasus. Cistus species are obligate seeding, early colonizers that follow disturbance, particularly fire, in low maquis-type Mediterranean ecosystems, rendering their ectomycorrhizal ecology particularly intriguing.