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The prickly milky (Lactarius spinosulus) is an agaric fungus belonging to the Russula family and the large genus Milky, numbering about 400 species. Of these, 50 grow on the territory of the Federation. Other scientific synonyms:
- granular spiny, since 1891;
- lilac prickly mushroom, from 1908;
- lilac mushroom, prickly subspecies, since 1942
The prickly milky loves wet places, settles in thickets of forest grasses and in moss
Where does the prickly milkweed grow?
Spiny milky is quite rare, distributed throughout central Our Country, in Northern and Central Europe. Forms a mutually beneficial symbiosis with birch, sometimes found in other mixed or deciduous forests, old parks.
The mushroom picker bears fruit during the second half of summer and until mid-autumn – from late July-early August to September. Cool rainy years are especially plentiful for prickly milkweed.
A group of prickly lactifers in a mixed forest
What does the prickly milk mushroom look like
Young fruiting bodies look like miniature buttons from 0,5 to 2 cm in diameter, with convex-rounded hats, their edges are noticeably tucked inward. As it grows, the cap straightens out, becoming at first straight with a gentle depression and a small tubercle in the center. Overgrown mushrooms are bowl-shaped, often with wavy or petal-like folds extending from the center. The edges remain wrapped down in the form of a small pubescent roller.
The colors of the cap are saturated, reddish-crimson, pinkish and burgundy shades, uneven, with clearly visible concentric stripes of darker colors. The surface is dry, matte, covered with small cilia-flakes. The fruit body can grow up to 5-7 cm in diameter. In adult specimens, the hat fades, becoming light pink.
Plates adhering to the stem, descending. Narrow, frequent, uneven length. At first they have the color of baked milk or a creamy white tint, then darken to a yellowish-pink, ocher. The hat breaks at the slightest pressure. The flesh is thin, white-gray, light lilac or yellowish in color, has a rather unpleasant odor. Its taste is neutral-starchy, the juice is first sweetish, then bitter-sharp. At the site of the cut, it acquires a dark green, almost black color. The color of the spores is light brown with a yellow tint.
The leg is cylindrical, slightly expanding towards the root, smooth, velvety, dry. Straight or bizarrely curved, often two legs grow together into one. The pulp is dense, tubular, fragile, easily breaks. Color irregular spots, often lighter than the cap, from creamy gray to pinkish crimson and rich reddish red. May be covered with a white downy coating on the underside. The height varies from 0,8 to 4-7 cm, with a diameter of 0,3 to 1,1 cm.
White milky juice appears on the plates of the hymenophore, it can also be seen on a cut or break in the pulp
Mushroom lookalikes
The flower is pink. Conditionally edible, slightly poisonous if improperly processed. It is distinguished by its large size, pale pink stem and cobweb-like pubescence on the cap, especially noticeable on the tucked edges.
A characteristic feature is distinct thin concentric stripes on a hat of a brighter color.
The fish is real. Valuable edible mushroom. Differs in orange-yellow color of hymenophore plates and pulp. The cut leg is bright ocher with a white core.
Redheads grow in small groups
Milky prickly edible mushroom or not
The prickly milky is classified as an inedible mushroom. Although there are no toxic or poisonous compounds in its composition, due to its low culinary qualities and an unpleasant pungent odor, it is not customary to eat it. However, if a few pieces fall into the basket along with other milkers, and then into salting, there will be no unpleasant consequences – with the exception of the bitter taste of the final product.
Conclusion
The prickly milky is a rare mushroom ubiquitous in temperate and northern latitudes. Settles in birch forests and deciduous forests, prefers wet places. Unsuitable for food due to pungent odor, not poisonous. It has some similarities with mushrooms and volnushki, it can be confused with other types of milkers. Grows from August to October. Some specimens can be found under the first snow.