Mild Milkcap

Mild Milkcap Lactarius subdulcis (Pers.) Gray (illustrated 40% life size) Cap 3–7cm across, convex, later with a depression, sometimes with a small umbo, margin incurved at first, sometimes slightly furrowed; reddish-brown, rusty or dark cinnamon, paling to buff; fairly rigid to flexible, surface matt, smooth to slightly wrinkled. Stem 30–70×6–13mm, cylindrical to slightly club-shaped, sometimes furrowed lengthwise; coloured as cap but paler above. Flesh white to buff; thin in cap. Gills adnate to slightly decurrent; whitish at first then rosy-buff with a slight vinaceous tinge. Milk white, plentiful, not turning yellow on a handkerchief; taste mild then slightly bitter. Spores 7.5–9.5×6.5–8¼, ovate; largish warts (1¼) joined by mainly thinnish ridges to form a well-developed network. Spore print cream (C), with slight salmon tinge. Cap surface of prostrate, filamentous hyphae with variously inflated cells. Habitat in broad-leaved woods, especially beech; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible. Note this common fungus is often misidentified.