Beech Milkcap

Beech Milkcap Lactarius blennius (Fr.) Fr. (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 4–10cm across, flattened convex, later centrally depressed, margin incurved; pale olive to greenish-grey, pale greyish-sepia or even dull greenish, with darker, drop-like blotches often grouped into concentric bands; very slimy when moist. Stem 40–50×10–17mm; paler than the cap, pale olive to pale grey or whitish; slimy. Flesh whitish. Gills slightly decurrent; white or whitish at first, later creamy to very pale buff, becoming brownish-greyish when wounded; this and their colour distinguish this from Lactarius fluens. Milk white, drying grey; taste very hot and acrid. Spores 7–8×5.5–6.5¼, elliptical with low warts joined by ridges with a few cross-connections, and tending to run across the spores. Spore print creamy (C) with a flesh-coloured tinge. Habitat in broad-leaved woods, especially beech; late summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible if cooked, but not recommended.