Woolly Milkcap

The caps are convex with a central depression, and attain a diameter of up to 10 cm (4 in). A blend of pink and ochre hues, the cap sometimes has concentric zones of alternating lighter and darker shades. The edge of the cap is rolled inward, and shaggy when young. On the underside of the cap are narrow flesh-colored gills that are crowded closely together. The cylindrical stem is a pale flesh color with a delicately downy surface and brittle flesh; it is up to 8 cm (3 in) long and 0.6–2 cm (1⁄4–3⁄4 in) thick. When cut or injured, the fruit bodies ooze a bitter white latex that does not change color upon exposure to air. The variety nordmanensis, in contrast, has latex that changes from white to yellow. Similar species like L. pubescens or L. villosus differ in morphology and coloration, as well as microscopic characteristics like spore shape and size.