Fleecy Milkcap

Fleecy Milkcap Lactarius vellereus (Fr.) Fr. (illustrated 35% life size) Cap 10–25cm across, convex and centrally depressed to widely funnel-shaped, margin incurved at first; white to cream, in places becoming tinged yellowish-buff to pale reddish-cinnamon; very shortly woolly. Stem 40–70×20–40mm; concolorous with cap; solid, shortly velvety. Flesh thick, firm. Gills decurrent, distant, narrow; pale ochraceous-cream; brittle. Milk white, abundant; taste mild in isolation but hot when tasted with the flesh. Spores 7.5–9.5×6.5–8.5¼, elliptical; small warts connected by fine lines in an incomplete network. Spore print white (A). Habitat in deciduous woods; late summer to early winter. Frequent. Not edible. Note L. bertillonii (Z. Schaef.) Bon. is very similar but differs in the hot taste of the milk.