Lactarius torminosus, the Woolly Milk Cap, grows
beneath birch trees in damp areas, mainly on acid soil. The distinctive
shaggy margin of the cap makes its identification extremely easy.
Cap
|
6 to 20 cm in diameter; convex and then
depressed; reddish orange, bruising green; surface granular becoming
sticky when wet. |
Gills
|
Shortly decurrent; crowded; bright orange,
staining green; releases bright red-orange (carrot coloured) latex that
turns wine red. |
Stipe
|
Hollow and stocky (5 to 8 cm long x 1.5 to 2 cm diameter); surface marked
with orange pits, especially near the base. |
Spore print |
Pale pinkish buff. |
Odour/taste |
Fruity smell; the milk (latex) has a mild
taste, becoming bitter after a while. |
Habitat |
Coniferous woodland. |
Season |
August to October. |
Occurrence |
Frequent; often in large groups. |
Similar species |
- Lactarius torminosus is more pink, has a woolly cap margin
and is always close to birch trees.
- Lactarius deterrimus has a smooth stem; its mild milk is
pinky-orange.
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