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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

walking carpet: (slang, derogatory or humorous) An exceptionally hairy person. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/walking_carpet

___________________________ 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