Lactarius pubescens Smith & Hesler var. betulae Cap 3-8cm across, convex with a depressed disc and inrolled margin, becoming flat then shallowly funnel-shaped with an arched margin; pale tan or cinnamon pink, slightly darker at the disc; disc slightly sticky becoming dry, densely covered in matted hair and coarsely bearded at the margin. Gills decurrent, quite close, narrow; white with a slight salmon tinge. Stem 30-80 x 10-18mm, solid then hollow; similar color as cap but slightly pinker; dry with a bloom. Flesh fragile, white to pinkish, particularly near the cuticle. Latex white quickly turning yellow, scant, staining yellow. Odor not distinctive. Taste slowly but slightly acrid. Spores ellipsoid, amyloid, 6.5-8 x 5.5-6.5µ; ornamented with ridges forming a well-developed, irregular reticulum, prominences 0.4 -0.8µ, high. Deposit white to cream. Habitat scattered to gregarious under birch. Found in northern North America. Season August-October. Poisonous.