Species details
Coconut milkcap
Lactarius glyciosmus
Conditional / expert preparation
Photo: Strobilomyces · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A small grey-cinnamon milkcap with birch, characterised by a sweet coconut-like or cinnamon-like smell.
Identification features
The cap is 2–6 cm wide, grey to cinnamon, dry and felted. Gills are pale and later pinkish. The stem is slender, latex white, and the smell distinctly coconut-like.
Identification checklist
Check birch habitat, the small grey-cinnamon dry cap, white latex, and strong coconut smell. Odour should not be the only identification feature.
Detailed features
- Cap
- The cap is 2–6 cm wide, grey to cinnamon, dry and felted.
- Hymenophore
- Gills are pale and later pinkish.
- Stem
- The stem is slender, latex white, and the smell distinctly coconut-like.
- Smell
- Distinctly sweetish, coconut- or cinnamon-like.
Size
- Cap diameter
- 2–6 cm
Habitat
Mycorrhizal with birch, often on moister soils, from summer to autumn.
Fruiting period
July, August, September, October
Ecology
- Trophic mode
- Mycorrhizal
- Host trees
- Birch (Betula)
- Substrate
- Forest soil
- Soil
- Moist
- Notes
- Mycorrhizal with birch, often on moister soils, from summer to autumn.
How to separate similar species
Lactarius camphoratus is usually more reddish-brown and smells more of camphor/coumarin. Compare latex and tree association too.
Similar species
Interesting facts
Did you know? Check birch habitat, the small grey-cinnamon dry cap, white latex, and strong coconut smell. Odour should not be the only identification feature.