Lactarius controversus, commonly known as the poplar milkcap, is a large funnel-capped fungus within the genus Lactarius, which are collectively known as 'milk caps'. They all exude milky drops (lactate) from the flesh and gills when damaged. The species is classified as inedible but has sometimes been collected in Eurasia.
Source: Wikipedia
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Distribution
Widespread and quite common
Habitat
Often in open and semi-urban areas, wherever Salix and Populus grow
Associates
Populus, Salix
Conservation
Cap
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Convex, Flattened, Depressed |
| Surface | Viscid, Tomentose |
| Width | 6 - 30 cm |
| Margin | Inrolled |
Gills
White, sparse and very acrid
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Attachment | Adnate, Decurrent |
| Spacing | crowded |
Flesh
Firm, solid in stem
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Odour | Faint and fruity |
| Taste | Slowly becoming very acrid |
Stem
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 - 5 cm |
| Width | 20 - 30 mm |
| Texture | Smooth, Tomentose |
| Shape | Cylindric, Tapering |
| Bruising |
Spores
With warts and ridges up to 0.5 high, ridges are thick and well developed forming a partial to almost complete reticulum
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Type | amyloid |
| Shape | Ellipsoid, Oblong |
| Ornamentation | Reticulate, Warty |
| Size | 6-8.5 x 4-6 μm |
Classification
- ↳ Phylum: Basidiomycota
- ↳ Subphylum: Agaricomycotina
- ↳ Class: Agaricomycetes
- ↳ Order: Russulales
- ↳ Family: Russulaceae
- ↳ Genus: Lactarius
Synonyms
- Lactarius controversus Fr. ex Fr.) Fr.
Reference Sources
G. Kibby (2025) British Milkcaps Lactarius & Lactifluus. Geoffrey Kibby.
T. Læssøe, J. H. Peterson (2019) Fungi of Temperate Europe Vol. 1. Princeton University Press.
