Woolly milkcap facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woolly milkcap |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: |
Russulales
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| Family: |
Russulaceae
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| Genus: |
Lactarius
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| Species: |
L. torminosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Lactarius torminosus |
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The Lactarius torminosus is a type of mushroom. People often call it the woolly milkcap or the bearded milkcap. This mushroom is very common. You can find it in many places around the world. It grows in North Africa, northern Asia, Northern Europe, and North America.
This mushroom usually grows near certain trees. It especially likes birch trees. You can find these mushrooms growing alone or in groups. They grow on the ground in mixed forests. In some countries, like Russia and Finland, people eat this mushroom. They like its peppery taste. However, you must cook it first! If you eat it raw, it can upset your stomach. Cooking helps to remove the chemicals that make it taste sharp and can cause discomfort.
What Does the Woolly Milkcap Look Like?
The top part of the mushroom is called the cap. The cap of the woolly milkcap is usually rounded. It has a dip in the middle. It can grow up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) wide. The cap is a mix of pink and orange colors. Sometimes, it has darker circles on it. The edge of the cap curls inwards. When the mushroom is young, this edge looks shaggy or hairy.
Underneath the cap, there are thin, flesh-colored gills. These gills are packed closely together. The mushroom uses these gills to make its spores. The spores are like tiny seeds that help the mushroom reproduce.
Stem and Special Features
The stem of the woolly milkcap is shaped like a cylinder. It is a pale flesh color. The surface of the stem feels soft and fuzzy. It can grow up to 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) long. The stem is usually between 0.6 and 2 centimeters (about 0.2 to 0.8 inches) thick.
When you cut or hurt this mushroom, it releases a white, milky liquid. This liquid is called latex. It does not change color when it touches the air. However, there is a special type of this mushroom, called normandensis. Its latex changes from white to yellow.
Images for kids
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Young mushroom showing its fuzzy cap edge and gills
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A comparison between Lactarius torminosus (left) and Lactarius pubescens (right)
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A picture of a chemical found in the mushroom, called velleral
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A woolly milkcap growing in Sweden
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See also
In Spanish: Falso níscalo para niños
