We combine fieldwork in temperate and tropical regions and morphological studies with molecular, phylogenetic reconstruction. Based on these phylogenetic insights, we derive taxonomic and systematic conclusions, make identification tools, descriptions and illustrations and thus provide a framework for further ecological or applied study of these fascinating organisms.

Fulfilling major roles as symbionts and saprotrophs in all known vegetation types or acting as ultra-specialized parasites of plants and animals, fungi are essential players at all levels of ecosystem functioning.

Despite that, the exact extent of their diversity is largely unknown, and with mycologists themselves becoming an endangered species, many groups of fungi and many regions across the globe still remain seriously underexplored. Much discovery work is still to be done by the present and future generations of mycologists.

Our research is specialized in the ectomycorrhizal and worldwide distributed genera Lactarius and Lactifluus (milk caps), but besides that we also contribute to the general inventorisation of macrofungi in Flanders, Belgium and to the study of several other ectomycorrhizal genera (a.o. Russula, Cantharellus, truffles,…).