Wolfs Milk
ExploreFungi
Wolfs Milk
lycogala
Wolfs Milk is a fascinating fungus that looks like a blob of jelly! It can be found in damp, wooded areas and has a unique, milky substance inside.
Habitat: Wolfs Milk thrives in moist, wooded environments, often found on decaying logs and leaf litter.
Appearance
The Wolfs Milk is a small, pink to peach-colored globule that looks like tiny drops of liquid. It later turns greyish-brown and powdery. Its distinctive bubble-gum-like appearance makes it stand out on decaying wood.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderRussulalesFamilyRussulaceaeGenusLactarius
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It's not a true fungus, but a fascinating slime mold!
Its pink "milk" is actually a gooey, internal liquid!
These tiny balls help recycle nutrients in forests!
They start life as a creeping, single-celled blob!
Special abilities
Ability
Color Transformer
Wolfs Milk can change from pink liquid to grey powder because its internal structure develops spores.
Ability
Spore Cannon
Wolfs Milk has a unique peridium that helps them burst to release their powdery spores into the air.
Ability
Shape Shifter
Wolfs Milk can appear as a blob, then harden into a bumpy ball because it matures from a plasmodium.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 0.3-1.5 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Growth Substrate
- wood
- Season
- Spring to fall
- Spore Color
- Pinkish-brown
Ecological connections
eaten by
Hay Bacillus
Bacillus subtilis
Engulfed by Wolfs Milk plasmodium for nutrients.
depends on
Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Thrives on the decaying wood of various oak trees.
eats
Fungus Gnat
Bradysia impatiens
Larvae may feed on its spores and moist fruiting bodies.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
LycogalaWolf's Milk FungusWolf's Milk Slime
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Do not eat this fungus, as it is not food!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Wolfs Milk?
0.3-1.5 cm
Is Wolfs Milk edible?
inedible
Where is Wolfs Milk usually found?
Wolfs Milk thrives in moist, wooded environments, often found on decaying logs and leaf litter.
What does Wolfs Milk grow on?
wood
When is Wolfs Milk in season?
Spring to fall
What color are Wolfs Milk spores?
Pinkish-brown
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park76 sightings10 species
Virginia, US
Loftridge Park
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Pennsylvania, US
Penn-Roosevelt State Park
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Park49 sightings5 species
Virginia, US
West Springfield Park
You might spot Mapleleaf Viburnum, Japanese Holly, and Common Bonnet.
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Park2 sightings2 species
British Columbia, CA
Mount Richardson Provincial Park
You might spot Oval-Leaf Blueberry and Columbia Lily.
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Park124 sightings1 species
Florida, US
Mathews Park
You might spot Common Fanpetals, Cook Pine, and Common Purslane.
View guide →
