Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Beech Milkcap

Facts
Common Name: 
Beech Milkcap
Scientific Name: 
Lactarius blennius
Information
Description: 

The Beech Milkcap has a very sticky cap that can be a combination of whitish, grey, olive and reddish brown. At the cap margin there are indistinct darkish zones and dark spots. The stem is also sticky and can be hollow. The gills that are white, turning pale cream and the milk is white and dries a pale olive-grey colour on the gills.

Distribution: 

Very common and widespread.

Habitat: 

On soil in deciduous woodland, usually associated with Fagus in pure stands of beech woodland. Rarely reported with other trees.

Additional Notes: 

This (the main image) is not the 'greenish' coloured L. blennius that everyone thinks is the typical 'form' - in fact this is the typical form and the greenish one (supplementary image) ie. Lactarius blennius forma virescens is actually less frequent. Ref; Nick Legon