Cap
|
4 to 8 cm in diameter, convex and then
centrally depressed, the caps are pale purplish-grey or buff-grey and
slimy when wet.
Beneath the cap cuticle, the flesh is white or pale buff and rather
brittle. |
Gills
|
Adnate or very shortly decurrent, the crowded
gills are white or pale yellow, turning brown when bruised.
When damaged, the gills release white milk that dries smoke-grey on the
gills. |
Stipe
|
5 to 10 mm in diameter and 5 to 7 cm tall, the stems are smooth and
cylindrical; they are rather brittle and easily broken. |
Spore print |
Pale cream. |
Odour/taste |
No distinctive odour; hot and peppery taste. |
Habitat |
Under birch in damp, shady places. |
Season |
August to October. |
Occurrence |
Frequent; often in quite large groups. |
Similar species |
- Lactarius blennius is often a greeny-grey colour with a cap
banded by droplet-like blotches; it is very slimy during wet weather.
|
