Milkcap?

lauriek · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 08:55 PM

I'm guessing this is a milkcap from the shape but I've no idea which one, there are quite a few of them, around 2-3cm diameter cap, maybe 5cm tall...

Anybody know what this is?

TIA!!

Fungus Ken · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 09:24 PM

Yes it's a Milkcap.

Any idea what trees were nearby? It could be Lactarius tabidus, which grows with birch. The milk is white but turns yellow after a short while when put onto a white handkerchief.

Ken

NickCantle · #3 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 09:41 PM

I presume you already know this Lauriek mate, but Milkcaps are good to 'play with' in the field. My friends were amazed at how much milk spills from the gills (Poetry eh?

). Just make a nice across a couple of centimetres on the gills and watch it ooze. If you're daring, try and taste the milk. I tasted the milk from the Ugly Milkcap the other day...it's not too bad at first, then it gets SO hot it's unbelievable!!!

I'm not sure what the general rules are of tasting milk...I like doing it now, but I only do it when I find a new species of Milkcap. (well, one that i've never come across) I only have a tiny bit of the milk too as to not put myself at risk.

So who can enlighten me bout milk tasting? Risks etc?

Nick

Fungus Ken · #4 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 09:51 PM

All the monographs on Lactarius require you to taste the milk to help narrow down the options. None of the Milkcaps is deadly poisonous and there is no evidence that tasting a few drops of the milk has any lasting detrimental effects (other than a nasty taste in your mouth in some cases

).

I taste the milk of most Lactarius finds so that I can remember what they taste like for next time. Today I tasted both Lactarius turpis and Lactarius pubescens both of which are "interesting" to taste. I also tasted the milk of Lactarius glyciosmus, Lactarius tabidus, Lactarius quietus and Lactarius rufus. Russulas are another genus you need to taste, and I tasted a few of those today, including Russula betularum which is as hot as a chilli.

I've been doing it for about 18 years (tasting selected fungi that is

) and not suffered any ill effects.

But you do have be certain you have narrowed down to genus before tasting anything. Tasting the Deathcap could well be fatal.

Ken

NickCantle · #5 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 09:55 PM

Ah, thanks Ken, i'll write that down. Didn't you find Turpis hot?

I was quite shocked. Russula tasting sounds like a challenge...I see so many of the things, I may as well taste them

..How much do you taste?

By the way Ken, what did you make of the Turpis milk? Quite a fragrant one isn't it. Tastes like libraries and attics

Until the burning kicks in.

Nick

Fungus Ken · #6 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 10:59 PM

I find the taste of Lactarius turpis milk sometimes has a licorice component to it, if you can pick that out from the fieriness and other components.

As for Russulas, you nibble a small piece of the gills in the front of your mouth until the taste comes through and then spit out. The taste can be mild, bitter, or acrid (hot like chilli).

Ken

NickCantle · #7 (**permalink**) 13-10-2007, 11:04 PM

Thanks for that Ken. I'll have a good old nibble next time I need a Russula ID

Nick

lauriek · #8 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 12:39 AM

Thanks!!

I'd read that you can taste the milk of these but I wasn't sure enough that it was safe! I guess I'll give it a go! Sorry not sure what the nearest tree is, but there is a patch of several japanese acers a little way off, and there's birch all over the place here... I'll have another check on these tomorrow if poss..

lauriek · #9 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 03:04 PM

Bit more info, the trees surrounding this piece of grass are a mixture of some acers, chestnut, birch, holly and a conifer I haven't yet identified. There are ugly milk caps, some russulas which I think /might/ be charcoal burners, and also a Brown Birch Bolete in the same area... I didn't get round to tasting one today!!

NickCantle · #10 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 03:22 PM

Lol, Lauriek, next time you're there, try a bit of the Turpis Milk!!! It's brilliant

Fungus Ken · #11 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 09:46 PM

As there isn't any beech around, I think it will have been Lactarius tabidus growing in association with the birch. Don't forget next time to have a go at testing the milk on a white handkerchief. It should gradually turn yellow.

I have a lot of clean white hankies with horrible yellow stains on them.

Ken

NickCantle · #12 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 09:49 PM

...I'll have to remember to do that. Definitely taste the milk too! Yummy

JP · #13 (**permalink**) 14-10-2007, 09:51 PM

Not something you want to admit to on a public forum Ken lol

Try the cut test and check the milk out as the guys have said its a fantastic fungi, the milk if tasted in a small amount on the toungue is quite peppery, makes your face do this

lol