When bruised, the clay-gilled milk cap releases an off-white latex that becomes olive or brown. The young specimens are covered with fine hairs, but mature ones are commonly smooth. Lactarius argillaceifolius is often confused with Lactarius trivialis, however, one should know that this species is recorded only in North America, while the latter one is found in Europe. Unlike its European counterpart which inhabits coniferous and birch forests, clay-gilled milk cap grows mainly with oaks.
Cap Diameter:
4 - 22 cm
Odor:
Not distinctive to subtly fragrant.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Clay-gilled milk cap
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Attributes of Clay-gilled milk cap
Cap Diameter
4 - 22 cm
Height
7 - 14 cm
Cap
Cap 3 - 18 cm; convex to flat; cinnamon to lilac brown; bald or minutely pocked and rugged, sticky when fresh
Cap Shape
Convex, Flat, Depressed
Cap Surfaces
Smooth, Slimy or slightly sticky
Gills
Decurrent; close or crowded; cream to dingy cinnamon; stained slowly brown by the latex where damaged.
Gill Attachment
Attached
Stem
Stem 3 - 9 cm long, 1 - 3.5 cm thick; tapering to base; pale or brownish; dry or slightly sticky, smooth, without potholes
Stem Shapes
Tapering
Stem Surfaces
Smooth
Flesh
White; unchanging, or discoloring faintly tan
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
Pale yellowish
Odor
Not distinctive to subtly fragrant.
Body Color
Brown
White
Purple
Flesh Bruises
Discolor to brown
Growth Form
Solitary, Scattered
Nutrient Gathering
Mycorrhizal
Substrate
On soil
You can find Clay-gilled milk cap by these plants:
The clay-gilled milk cap can be found in forests, where it's mostly associated with oak, particularly coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). The species grows on the ground, always near the roots of trees, as it exists in a symbiotic relationship where it exchanges mineral nutrients for photosynthates from the tree.
