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The spiny milkweed (Lactarius spinosulus) is a lamellar mushroom belonging to the family of Russula and the large genus of Milkweeds, numbering about 400 species. Of these, 50 grow on the territory of the Russian Federation. Other scientific synonyms:
- granular spinous, since 1891;
- lilac spiky milk mushroom, since 1908;
- lilac milk mushroom, prickly subspecies, since 1942
The spiny milkweed loves damp places, settling in thickets of forest grasses and moss
Where does the spiny milkweed grow?
The spiny milkweed is quite rare and is distributed throughout central Russia, Northern and Central Europe.Forms a mutually beneficial symbiosis with birch, sometimes found in other mixed or deciduous forests and old parks.
The mycelium bears fruit during the second half of summer and until mid-autumn - from late July-early August to September. The laticifer is especially abundant in cool, rainy years.
A group of laticifers spiny in a mixed forest
What does the prickly milk mushroom look like?
Young fruiting 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, first becoming straight with a gentle depression and a small tubercle in the center. Overgrown mushrooms are cup-shaped, often with wavy or petal-like folds extending from the center. The edges remain folded down in the form of a small pubescent ridge.
The colors of the cap are rich, reddish-crimson, pinkish and burgundy shades, uneven, with clearly visible concentric stripes of darker colors. The surface is dry, matte, covered with small cilia-scales. The fruiting 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 leg, descending. Narrow, frequent, uneven length. At first they have the color of baked milk or a creamy white tint, then darken to yellowish-pink, ocher. The hat breaks at the slightest pressure. The pulp is thin, white-gray, light lilac or yellowish in color, and has a rather unpleasant odor. Its taste is neutral-starchy, the juice is first sweetish, then bitter-spicy. At the cut site it turns dark green, almost black.The color of the spores is light brown with a yellow tint.
The stem is cylindrical, slightly widening towards the root, smooth, velvety, dry. Straight or bizarrely curved, often two legs merge into one. The pulp is dense, tubular, fragile, and breaks easily. The color is in uneven spots, often lighter than the cap, from creamy gray to pinkish-crimson and rich reddish. May be covered with a white downy coating in the lower part. Height varies from 0.8 to 4-7 cm, diameter from 0.3 to 1.1 cm.
White milky juice appears on the plates of the hymenophore; it can also be seen on a cut or break of the pulp
Mushroom look-alikes
Pink wave. Conditionally edible, slightly poisonous if improperly processed. It is distinguished by its large size, pale pink leg and cobweb-like pubescence on the cap, especially noticeable on the folded edges.
A characteristic feature is distinct thin concentric stripes on the cap of a brighter color.
The ginger is real. Valuable edible mushroom. It is distinguished by the orange-yellow color of the hymenophore plates and pulp. The cut leg is bright ocher with a white core.
Saffron milk caps grow in small groups
Is the milky spiny mushroom an edible mushroom or not?
The spiny milkweed is classified as an inedible mushroom. Although there are no toxic or poisonous compounds in its composition, it is not customary to eat it due to its low culinary qualities and unpleasant pungent odor. However, if several pieces end up in the basket along with other milkweeds, and then in the salting, there will be no unpleasant consequences - except for the bitter taste of the final product.
Conclusion
The spiny milkweed is a rare mushroom ubiquitous in temperate and northern latitudes. Settles in birch forests and deciduous forests, prefers damp places. Unsuitable for food due to its pungent odor, non-toxic. It has some similarities with saffron milk caps and saffron milkweeds; it can also be confused with other types of milkweeds. Grows from August to October. Some specimens can be found under the first snow.
