Whiskery Milkcap
Lactarius mairei
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Russulales
Family
Russulaceae
Genus
Lactarius
Whiskery Milkcap belongs to the family Russulaceae, order Russulales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Whiskery Milkcap faces severe threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and forest degradation in its limited range. As a mycorrhizal fungus dependent on specific host trees, it is particularly vulnerable to changes in forest composition and structure, with declining populations observed across much of its historical range.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly beech and oak forests in temperate regions of Europe. Forms mycorrhizal associations with broadleaved trees, typically found in mature forest soils with rich organic matter.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Whiskery Milkcap faces severe threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and forest degradation in its limited range. As a mycorrhizal fungus dependent on specific host trees, it is particularly vulnerable to changes in forest composition and structure, with declining populations observed across much of its historical range.
Deforestation and forest clearance
Forest degradation and fragmentation
Loss of mycorrhizal host trees
Climate change impacts on forest ecosystems
Intensive forestry practices
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Whiskery Milkcap (Lactarius mairei). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/whiskery-milkcap