Lactifluus gymnocarpoides (Ubutuntutuntu)

Lactifluus gymnocarpoides is a species of ectomycorrhizal fungus, meaning it must associate with the roots of its host plants in order to develop and survive. Ectomycorrhizal fungi forge symbiotic relationships with their hosts by forming a sheath around the root tips of their hosts. The fungus takes organic compounds from the plant and in return provides the plant with water and nutrients absorbed from the soil. Other benefits to the plant may include protection against herbivores and resistance to toxins and pathogens.

Ectomycorrhizal relationships are common in both temperate and tropical forests. All members of one group of tropical legumes, the Berlinia clade (such as Isoberlinia doka, Gilbertiodendron dewevrei and Berlinia razzifera), are thought to form ectomycorrhizal relationships with fungi. Lactifluus gymnocarpoides has also been recorded in Tapia (Uapaca bojeri) woodland in Madagascar.

Lactifluus gymnocarpoides has been found in Benin, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The cap (pileus) is thick and usually measures 6–9 cm in diameter. The outer skin (pellis) is dry and smooth or finely felty, wrinkled to crackling. It is greyish orange to orange when young, becoming light orange later. The latex is not abundant, white and mild to astringent.

Microscopic features used in Lactifluus identification include morphology (especially ornamentation) of the spores and anatomy of the pileipellis (uppermost layer of the fruiting body).

Ectomycorrhizal symbiotic relationships have been recorded between Lactifluus gymnocarpoides and Isoberlinia doka, I. tomentosa, Anthonotha crassifolia and Brachystegia bussei (all species in the Berlinia clade of the family Leguminosae).

Lactifluus gymnocarpoides is considered widespread in tropical Africa and not threatened.

Lactifluus gymnocarpoides is eaten in rural areas in eastern Burundi, Tanzania and Benin. It is a popular food in some localities and can be harvested in large quantities, up to 100 kg per hectare per year.

Preserved specimens of Lactifluus gymnocarpoides from Malawi and Zambia are maintained in the Kew Mycology Herbarium and, although not accessible to the general public, are available for study by researchers worldwide.

MycoBank – Lactarius gymnocarpoides

Kew’s ‘fungarium’

Mycology at Kew

Discover more about fungi

Kew’s Leguminosae science team

More about the legume family