#milkcaps

London, UK, September 2021

Woolly milkcap (Lactarius torminosus)

These gorgeous little milkcaps are easily recognised by their fluffy bears and pink colouring - though the latter hasn’t shown up well in the photo here. Like all their cousins in the Lactariusgenus, they will produce a white latex ‘milk’ when their gills are damaged. As it’s relatively uncommon in Britain, I didn’t want to disturb this single one to photograph the gills, though.

They’re considered edible if carefully prepared, but if eaten incorrectly cooked they can cause stomach upsets.