Fauna
Fungus

Milking Bonnet

Mycena galopus

Also known as Milky Mycena, Milk-Drop Mycena

This slender woodland mushroom plays a vital role in forest ecosystems by decomposing fallen leaves and coniferous needles. Gently snapping the dark, fragile stem reveals its defining feature: a milky white latex that exudes from the break. Found growing in clusters throughout temperate northern woodlands, it actively converts tough plant litter back into fertile soil.

FungusDecomposerWoodland
Milking Bonnet reference1 / 7
This image was created by user Richard Sullivan (enchplant) at Mushroom Observer, a source for mycological images.You can contact this user here. / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySaprotrophic
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Fungus Gnats
  • Springtails
ThreatsForest clearance and severe soil compaction
HabitatsDeciduous and coniferous leaf litter
Life spanFruiting bodies persist for 2 to 5 days
Classification
  1. FamilyMycenaceae
  2. SpeciesMycena galopus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Stem test: Carefully snap the stem base to observe the characteristic white latex oozing from the break.
  • Substrate search: Look closely among decaying leaves and needle carpet in damp shady woods during autumn.
  • Magnification aid: Use a hand lens to inspect the delicate radial grooves along the bell-shaped cap.
Related species
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