– Cap convex to funnel-shaped, orange with silvery-shimmering zones, rarely green-spotted.
– Gills adnate to decurrent, pale orange.
– Stem short, with orange drop-like spots against a paler background.
– When broken, the flesh exudes carrot-orange latex, which becomes greenish as it dries.
– Taste and smell mild.
Lactarioid agarics
Saffron Milkcap
Lactarius deliciosus
LC
Least concern
Edible
5 images
Characteristics
Ecology
Grows with pine in coniferous forest, mainly on calcareous soil.
Notes
Very good edible mushroom that works in many different kinds of dishes, where its rich flavour and crisp texture are appreciated by many.
All saffron milkcaps exude carrot-coloured to wine-red latex and are good edible mushrooms.
All saffron milkcaps exude carrot-coloured to wine-red latex and are good edible mushrooms.
Similar species
Lactarius deterrimus lacks pits on the stem. L. quieticolor has a more muted cap colour and latex that becomes wine-red after a while. L. sanguifluus bleeds wine-red latex, and L. semisanguifluus has carrot-coloured latex that turns wine-red after 5-10 minutes.
