Bearded Milkcap

Bearded Milkcap Lactarius pubescens (Fr.) Fr. (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 4–10cm across, convex then centrally depressed, margin inrolled and hairy; creamy white to rosy buff, often with slightly darker areas, without concentric banding. Stem 30–60×10–23mm; concolorous with cap, often with a rosy buff band at apex. Flesh whitish; thick. Gills slightly decurrent, crowded; whitish with a slight salmon tinge, darkening with age. Milk white; taste very hot. Spores 6.5–8.5×5.5–6.5¼, elliptical; warts joined by ridges forming a well-developed, irregular network. Spore print pale cream (C–D) with faint salmon tint. Habitat near birch on sandy soil; late summer to autumn. Frequent. Poisonous. Note very similar to L. torminosus (below), but paler and somewhat smaller.