About this fungus
Changing Milkcap is a fungus in the Russulaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A reddish-brown milkcap whose smooth cap shows darker zones when moist but may look unzoned when dry.
What to check
Record the host trees, damp-ground setting, cap zoning, close pale gills and white latex that remains unchanged.
Variation
The darker cap zones are moisture-dependent and can disappear as the cap dries. Mature gills may take on a yellowish tint.
Lookalikes
Many brown Lactarius species overlap in cap colour and shape. Microscopic spores and cap tissue are often decisive.
Habitat and range
A North American taxon originally described from low damp ground in New York, with later herbarium records from several parts of the United States. Its tree partners are not securely established here.
Food safety
Inedible.
Photographs
Photo: MegR · CC0 1.0
Photo: Jonathan Horton · CC0 1.0