Nov 25, 2023
Milk Cap mushroom (Lactarius sp.). In the Lactarius genus, these mushroom exude a latex or "milk" when cut or damaged. The latex is likely a defense mechanism to protect the mushroom from being eaten by insects while in its younger stages. They stop producing latex once they're past maturity and no longer producing spores. The color and opacity of the latex is key in distinguishing between certain Lactarius species (ex. Candy Caps aka Lactarius rufulus differ from look-a-likes because their latex is transparent and watery)