Lactarius torminosus, the woolly milkcap, is a large agaric fungus.

First described
scientifically by Jacob Christian Schäffer in 1774, it is a common species, found
in North Africa, northern Asia, Europe, and North America. It grows on the roots of
various trees, most commonly birch in mixed forests. The cap of the L. torminosus
mushroom, up to 10 cm (3.9 in) wide, is convex with a central depression. A blend
of pink and ochre hues, the cap sometimes has concentric zones of alternating
lighter and darker shades. On the underside are narrow flesh-colored gills, crowded
closely together. The cylindrical stem is a pale flesh color with a delicately
downy surface, up to 8 cm (3.1 in) long and 0.6–2 cm (0.2–0.8 in) thick. When cut
or injured, the mushroom oozes a bitter white latex. The species is highly
irritating to the digestive system when eaten raw, but is valued for its peppery
flavor in Russia and Finland after being cooked to destroy its toxins