Content
The thorny milky (Lactarius spinosulus) is a lamellar mushroom belonging to the russula family and to the large genus of Millechniks, numbering about 400 species. 50 of them grow on the territory of the Russian Federation. Other scientific synonyms:
- granular prickly, since 1891;
- lilac thorny breast, from 1908;
- lilac breast, thorny subspecies, since 1942
The prickly milky loves wet places, settles in thickets of forest grasses and in moss
Where the thorny milky grows
The thorny milky is quite rare, widespread throughout central Russia, in Northern and Central Europe. Forms a mutually beneficial symbiosis with birch, sometimes found in other mixed or deciduous forests, old parks.
The mycelium bears fruit during the second half of summer and until mid-autumn - from late July to early August to September. Cool rainy years are especially plentiful on the prickly milkweed.
Group of prickly lactates in a mixed forest
What does the spiny mushroom look like?
Young fruit bodies look like miniature buttons from 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter, with convex-rounded caps, their edges are noticeably tucked inward. As it grows, the cap straightens out, becoming at first straight with a shallow depression and a small tubercle in the center. Overgrown mushrooms are bowl-shaped, often with wavy or petal-like folds extending from the center. The edges remain curled downward in the form of a small pubescent ridge.
The colors of the cap are saturated, reddish-crimson, pinkish and burgundy, uneven, with clearly visible concentric stripes of darker colors. The surface is dry, matte, covered with small cilia-scales. The fruit body can grow up to 5-7 cm in diameter. In adult specimens, the cap fades to light pink.
The plates are adherent to the pedicle, descending. Narrow, frequent, uneven length. First, they have the color of baked milk or a creamy white hue, then darken to yellowish-pink, ocher. The hat breaks at the slightest pressure. The pulp is thin, white-gray, light lilac or yellowish, has a rather unpleasant odor. Its taste is neutral-starchy, the juice is sweetish at first, then bitter-spicy. In place of the cut, it becomes dark green, almost black. The color of the spores is light brown with a yellow tinge.
The stem is cylindrical, slightly widening towards the root, smooth, velvety, dry. Straight or bizarrely curved, often two legs grow together into one. The pulp is dense, tubular, fragile, easily breaks. The color is uneven spots, often lighter than the cap, from creamy gray to pinkish crimson and deep reddish red. May be covered with a white downy coating at the bottom. The height varies from 0.8 to 4-7 cm, with a diameter of 0.3 to 1.1 cm.
White milky juice appears on the hymenophore plates, it can also be seen on a cut or break of the pulp
Mushroom twins
The flower is pink. Conditionally edible, slightly toxic if improperly processed. It is distinguished by its large size, pale pink leg and cobweb-like pubescence on the cap, especially noticeable on the tucked edges.
A characteristic feature is distinct thin concentric stripes on the cap of a brighter color
Ginger is real. A valuable edible mushroom. Differs in an orange-yellow color of the plates of the hymenophore and pulp. The cut leg is bright ocher with a white core.
Ryzhiks grow in small groups
Miller prickly edible mushroom or not
Thorny milky is classified as an inedible mushroom. Although there are no toxic or poisonous compounds in its composition, it is not accepted to eat it due to its low culinary qualities and an unpleasant pungent odor. However, if several pieces end up in the basket along with other milkmen, and then in salting, there will be no unpleasant consequences - except for the bitter taste of the final product.
Conclusion
Thorny milky is a rare mushroom widespread in temperate and northern latitudes. It settles in birch and deciduous forests, prefers humid places. Unsuitable for food because of the pungent odor, not poisonous. It has some similarities with saffron milk caps and bobcats, it can be confused with other types of milkmen. It grows from August to October. Some specimens can be found under the first snow.
