A new Lactarius species from Togo with an isolated phylogenetic position

Lactarius cocosmus Van de Putte & De Kesel sp. nov. is described from Uapaca woodlands in Togo. The species has a remarkable coconut-smell, which is typical for some European and North American Lactarius species but is observed here for the first time in a milkcap from Africa. Unpublished molecular data show that the species represents a new phylogenetic group for the African continent.