Lactarius circellatus

Lactarius circellatus (Battarra) Fr. (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 5–10cm across, flattened convex, later shallowly funnel-shaped and often rather irregular, margin slightly inrolled at first; dull grey-brown to pale umber, often slightly violet-tinged, and with a slight silvery appearance when dry, with concentric lighter and darker bands always present; firm-fleshed, slightly sticky when moist. Stem 30–60×8–20mm, cylindrical or spindle-shaped; whitish to concolorous with the cap; becoming hollow. Flesh whitish. Gills adnexed to slightly decurrent; yellowish-white at first, soon pale ochre, later dull yellowish ochre. Milk white, not changing colour with KOH; taste mild at first then hot. Spores 6–7×5–6.5¼, broadly elliptical; thickish ridges mostly running across the spore and with few cross-connections. Spore print pale ochre (D) with slight salmon tinge. Habitat with hornbeams and frequent where these occur; summer to autumn. Occasional. Unknown edibility.