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saffron milk cap (Lactarius deliciosus)
Lactarius deliciosus is an orange Lactarius species among pines, whose carrot-red milk hardly darkens. It becomes green-spotted and is considered to be a very good edible mushroom.
Scientific name: Lactarius deliciosus
Features
The cap is 4 to 12 cm wide, orange with darker, concentric zones, deepened in the middle and green-spotted in old age. The gills are orange, dense and become green-spotted when injured. The stem is orange, soon hollow and often grubby spotted. Ring and volva are missing. It smells slightly fruity, the milk tastes mild. When cut, carrot-red milk emerges, which remains largely orange for 30 minutes; the flesh greens slowly. Pale ocher to cream colour
Habitat
Pine, especially forest pine.. Light spots, forest roadsides, often calcareous soils.. From the lowlands to the mountains.
Season
August to October Main time September and October.
Weather and fruiting
Orange milk and greening bruises are typical. After cool, wet spells pine stands can fruit heavily.
Lookalike risk
Woolly milkcap: It has white, spicy milk and a pink cap with shaggy, curled rim and grows under birches. False saffron milkcap: His milk turns wine-red in 10 to 30 minutes, it tastes slightly bitter and grows under spruce. Lactarius salmonicolor: It is pale salmon without greens and grows only under white firs.
More regions
saffron milk cap · Scottish Highlands
Cool, wet Atlantic climate; season later and longer than in southern England.
saffron milk cap · Cairngorms
Upland granite and pine woods; elevation delays fruiting compared with the coast.
saffron milk cap · New Forest
Lowland mixed woods and heath; earlier season after mild, wet summers.
saffron milk cap · Lake District
High rainfall on western fells; valleys fruit earlier than high tarns.
saffron milk cap · Galloway
Mild, wet south-west Scotland with Sitka and mixed woodland.
More species
FAQ
What does the map show?
Weather-based foraging chances, not a guarantee that fruit bodies stand at the pin.
Can I eat this mushroom?
No page replaces identification. If unsure, leave it or ask an expert.
Delicious milk cap: is it edible?
Yes, it is an edible mushroom. Certain characteristic is the carrot-red milk; Lactarius species with white milk do not collect as Lactarius deliciosus.
Delicious milk cap: when and where does it grow?
In central Europe the season runs August to October. Main time September and October. Habitat: Pine, especially forest pine.
Delicious milk cap: what are the lookalikes?
The most important distinction is from Woolly milkcap (Lactarius torminosus, poisonous): It has white, spicy milk and a pink cap with shaggy, curled rim and grows under birches. Other lookalikes: False saffron milkcap, Lactarius salmonicolor.
When is a trip worth it?
Orange milk and greening bruises are typical. After cool, wet spells pine stands can fruit heavily.