Lactarius theiogalus (Fr.) S. F. Gray. Cap 2-7cm across, shallowly convex becoming flat then funnel-shaped, often with an acute umbo and a spreading margin; dull orangy brown to dark apricot or dull rust, sometimes with faint concentric lines of color; moist, smooth. Gills decurrent, crowded, narrow; pale yellowy or pinky-cinnamon, becoming darker and pink-spotted in age. Stem 40-60 x 10-15mm, fragile, slightly enlarged toward the base; same color as cap or paler, staining yellow from the milk; with a bloom at first, stiff, rough hairs at the base. Flesh firm but brittle; whitish to pale browny pink, staining yellow when cut. Latex white, scant, turning yellow slowly. Odor not distinctive. Taste mild or slowly, slightly hot and acrid. Spores subglobose to broadly ellipsoid, amyloid, 7.5-8.5 x 6.4-7.5µ; ornamented with blunt warts and irregular ridges sometimes connected by five lines, prominences 0.4-0.9µ. high. Deposit white to creamy. Habitat in leaf mold, sphagnum, or on soil under hardwoods or in mixed forests, usually near birch. Found widely distributed throughout north central and northeastern North America and in Alaska. Season August-October. Not edible.