Poplar milkcap
Lactarius controversus
The Poplar milkcap is a large mycorrhizal fungus primarily found in association with poplar and willow trees. Its cap is whitish with characteristic pale pink to flesh-colored spots or zones. The gills are crowded and often have a slight pinkish tint, while the flesh exudes a white, acrid-tasting milk when injured. It prefers damp locations and alkaline soils.
Details
Identification
Large white cap with pink spots; white, acrid latex; cream to pinkish gills; habitat under poplars.
Diet
Mycorrhizal fungus; lives in symbiosis with trees, exchanging minerals for photosynthetic products.
Overwintering
Overwinters as mycelium in the soil.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important symbiotic partner for poplar and willow species; promotes their nutrient supply in floodplain ecosystems.
Natural predators
Insect larvae (fungus gnats), slugs.
Competitor species
Other mycorrhizal fungi of poplars, such as Lactarius pubescens.
Ecosystem service
Support of tree growth and contribution to the nutrient cycle in the soil.
Threats
Destruction of floodplain habitats, clearing of poplar stands, and soil compaction.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Characterized by the combination of a white cap with pink spots, pink-tinted gills, intensely acrid latex, and a strict association with poplar or willow trees.
Habitat
Parks, cemeteries, floodplains, and roadsides; prefers base-rich, often heavy soils under poplars.
Reproduction
Sexual reproduction via basidiospores formed on four-spored basidia.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Decline of softwood floodplains and removal of old poplar stands in urban areas.
Conservation measures
Preservation of poplar and willow stands in floodplains as well as in parks and green spaces.