Pale Milkcap

Pale Milkcap Lactarius pallidus Pers. (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 4–10cm across, flattened convex, later with a central, funnel-shaped depression, margin incurved at first; buff, often pale, dull or with a rosy tint, to pale flesh-coloured or pale brownish; firm and fairly thick-fleshed, smooth, sticky. Stem 30–80×6–28mm, cylindrical or narrowed at base; whitish or concolorous with cap; smooth. Flesh white to buff. Gills moderately decurrent, somewhat crowded; pale rosy buff to yellowish-buff. Milk white; taste from mild to quite hot. Spores 8–10×6–7¼, elliptical; ridges of various thicknesses running mainly across the spore and with few cross-connections. Spore print pale ochre (E–F) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with beech; summer to autumn. Occasional. Edible when cooked.