Species details

Green-staining milkcap

Lactifluus glaucescens

Conditional / expert preparation
Green-staining milkcap – Lactifluus glaucescens

Photo: Dan Molter (shroomydan) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License

Description

An almost entirely white milkcap with white latex that soon turns olive to blue-green in air; the taste is strongly acrid.

Identification features

The cap is 5–12(15) cm wide, chalk white, later ochre-spotted and may green when handled. Gills are white to pale ochre. The white latex quickly turns olive to blue-green.

Identification checklist

Key clues are the very white colour and latex that quickly changes from white to olive or blue-green. Check the change on damaged gills.

How to separate similar species

Lactifluus piperatus looks similarly white, but its latex does not green in the same way. White milkcaps can be very similar.

Habitat

Grows in deciduous and coniferous woodland with oak, beech, pine and spruce, in summer and early autumn.

Fruiting period

June, July, August, September

Similar species

Extended-description sources