Milk-cap

Description:

Lactarius is a genus of fungi characterized by the fact that they exude a milky fluid ('latex') if cut or damaged. Their flesh has a distinctive brittle consistency. Often the gills are decurrent (starting to run down the stem) and the cap is depressed or even funnel-shaped when older. To identify to which of the roughly 400 Lactarius species a given specimen belongs, is important to note whether the cap is bald/greasy or velvety or hairy/shaggy at the rim, particularly in young individuals. Also the initial colour of the milk (white, cream, orange, violet, ...) and the final colour on drying are determining characteristics.