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.
(Full article...) .
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactarius_torminosus>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1974:
An all-female Japanese team reached the summit of Manaslu in
the Himalayas, becoming the first women to climb a peak higher than
8,000 metres (26,247 ft) above sea level.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manaslu>
1990:
The Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR declared the restoration
of Latvia's independence, stating that the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and
the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940 were illegal.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Restoration_of_Independence_of_the_Republic_of_Latvia>
2000:
Ken Livingstone took office as the first mayor of London.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Livingstone>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
walking carpet:
(slang, derogatory or humorous) An exceptionally hairy person.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/walking_carpet>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Advanced cultures are usually sophisticated enough, or have been
sophisticated enough at some point in their pasts, to realize that foxes
shouldn't be relied on to guard henhouses.
--Jane Jacobs
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jane_Jacobs>