Lactarius torminosus, commonly known as the Woolly milk-cap, is a large basidiomycete fungus in the genus Lactarius. Alhough it is valued for its peppery flavour and eaten after pickling in Russia and Finland, it is highly irritant to the digestive system when eaten raw.

Taxonomy

Torminosus is reference to the fact that it causes gastro-intestinal distress.

Description

It has a hairy; pale pink funnel-shaped cap up to 12 cm (5 in) in diameter, which is inrolled; furry, and zonate, with indistinct darker bands. The stem is pale salmon, and soon hollow. The gills are narrow; close, and slightly decurrent(running down the stem), and are salmon or tinged pink. When the flesh is broken it bleeds a milky latex; which remains white, and tastes hot, and acrid on the tip of the tongue.

Distribution and Habitat

It grows in association with birch, (Betula) and is found throughout the United Kingdom, Northern Europe, and is common in North America, where it sometimes grows with aspen (Populus species).

Edibility

In Finland, Russia and other North European countries it is eaten, after boiling or five-day soaking, pickled and valued for its hot, burning taste. In Norway it is roasted, and added to coffee.

Toxicity

It can induce severe and violent vomiting when eaten fresh, and has been reported to have caused death on one occasion.

References