Milkcaps Lactarius
Included genera: Lactarius, Lactifluus
Milkcaps exude latex when cut or broken. Like brittlegills, their flesh is brittle; their gills are usually attached to or decurrent on the stem.
- Latex exudes when damaged
- Brittle flesh
- White to cream to ochre spore print
- No ring or volva
- Latex colour and taste are important
The fresh latex colour, changes over a few minutes, taste, smell and tree associate together separate species. Latex may be barely visible in dry specimens.
A hot or bitter taste is not a general toxicity test. Decide on edibility only after certain species-level identification.
I have loved mushrooms since childhood, and I have also been a programmer for a long time. Combining these two hobbies, I wrote this website. Previously, I had two other mushroom identification sites, which I sold. Only one of them remains accessible today. My goal with the current site is to create an easy-to-use search and identification platform that works great both in the field and at home. I hope it brings joy to others. 