About Lactifluus vellereus (Fr.) Kuntze
Like other mushrooms in the family Russulaceae, the fruit body of Lactifluus vellereus has crumbly flesh rather than fibrous flesh. When the flesh is broken, the fungus exudes a milky latex. Mature caps of L. vellereus are white to cream, funnel-shaped, and can reach up to 30 centimetres (12 inches) in diameter. This species has firm flesh, and a stipe that is shorter than the full width of the fruit body. Its gills are fairly far apart, decurrent, and narrow, and have brown specks left by drying latex. The spore print of L. vellereus is white. Lactifluus bertillonii is a closely related species that is very similar in appearance to L. vellereus, but differs in having hotter-tasting milk. Another similar species, Lactarius controversus, is phylogenetically distant from L. vellereus; it can be distinguished mainly by its white gills and the absence of rosy markings on the upper surface of its cap. Lactifluus vellereus grows in deciduous woods, and can be found from late summer to early winter. It occurs in Britain and Europe.
