Boros István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 51. (Budapest 1959)

Babos, M.: Notes on the occurrence in Hungary of Lactarius species with regard to their range in Europe

The excellent work of N e u h o f f, "Die Milchlinge" (1956) had detailedly worked out the European species of the genus Lactarius. However, his daia do not cover certain areas of Central and Eastern Europe, so, e. g. Hungary. The object ot this present paper is to give information on the occurrence and frequency data as well as the habitat conditions of the Lactarius species. The author has worked out the materials deposited in the Herbaria of the Botanical Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum and gathered all critically dependable data of Hungarian mycological literature. There is a special emphasis on the data of the mycocoenological surveys current since some years (Bohus & Babos 1958), of especial importance for the clarification of the oecological claims and mycorrhizal connections of the several species. The majority of the data originate from the wooded areas of Hungary (the Transdanubium and the Central Mountains), the mycologically best explored districts of the country (Bohus &Babos, Kalmár, Moesz, Polgár, Szemere, Visny a, etc.). A large part of the Plains is still unexplored. Concerning this area, we dispose of data from the works of H o 11 ó s, Konecsni, and U b r i z s y. Since the mainly agricultural areas of the Plains are unsuitable habitats for the Lactarius species, this lack is insignificant. On the other hand,we must especially stress the importance of the Mes. Zemplén in the NE part of the country, as a most favourable habitat. Survey work in this area in 1957—58 resulted in showing 6 Lactarius species as new for Hungary (L. glaucescens, hysginus, mammosus, porninsis, pyrogalus, resimus). The opinions of the several authors vary when designating the distinctness of the various Lactarius species, that is, subspecies and varieties. As far as I see it, it were most expedient to draw forms, very nearly related to one another as subspecies under a nominate species, just as Singer (1942) and certain other authors suggest it. Since I wish but to point out this problem without endeavouring to also solve it, I discuss occurrence conditions of the several species in Hungary on the basis of the Neuhoff monography. Concerning references on the range of the species in Europe, I follow also N e u h o f f 's findings. Finally, I wish to express my gratitude, for the help and the kind ceding of his data and observations, to G. Bohus. Tomus 51. 1959. Notes on the Occurrence in Hungary of Lactarius Species, with Regard to their Range in Europe By M. BABOS, Budapest Lactarius* 1 (8) Cap hairy or at least margin shaggy-hairy. 2 (5) Milk white, unchangeable. * Species marked by an asterisk have not yet been found in Hungary, but their occurrence is probable.