large genus of agarics that have white spore and contain a white or milky juice when cut or broken; includes both edible and poisonous species

Fungi of the genus Lactarius, sometimes called milk-caps, are characterized by the fact that they exude a milky fluid ('latex') if cut or damaged. Like the genus Russula, with which they are grouped in the family Russulaceae, their flesh has a distinctive brittle consistency.