Lactarius deliciosus
ExploreFungi
Lactarius deliciosus
Lactarius deliciosus
Lactarius deliciosus, also known as the Saffron Milk Cap, is a tasty mushroom that grows in forests. Its orange cap releases a saffron-colored milk when cut, making it a fun find for mushroom hunters.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Lactarius deliciosus has a vibrant orange cap, often with faint concentric rings, which can turn greenish where bruised or with age. Its gills and stem are also orange, and it releases a distinctive orange, milky sap when cut.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderRussulalesFamilyRussulaceaeGenusLactarius
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Ancient Romans enjoyed this yummy mushroom, calling it 'boletus suillus'!
Its bright orange 'milk' was once used as a natural dye!
Mushrooms like this don't have seeds; they spread using tiny dust-like spores!
Some foragers say it tastes like carrots, pine, or even seafood!
Special abilities
Ability
Color-Changing Milk
Lactarius deliciosus releases an orange liquid when cut that changes to a greenish color when it touches the air, making it unique.
Ability
Tree's Best Friend
Lactarius deliciosus forms a special underground connection with conifer trees, sharing nutrients that help both grow strong.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 4-10 cm
- Edibility
- edible
- Cap Diameter
- 5-15 cm
- Growth Substrate
- soil
- Season
- Summer to Fall
- Spore Color
- Cream to yellowish
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Scots Pine
Pinus sylvestris
Forms mycorrhizal relationship, sharing nutrients.
symbiotic with
Norway Spruce
Picea abies
Also forms beneficial root connections with this tree.
eaten by
Humans
Homo sapiens
Highly prized edible mushroom by foragers worldwide.
eats
Leopard Slug
Limax maximus
Slugs are known to feed on various fungi in forests.
Traits
Mycorrhizal
This trait describes a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of a plant, benefiting both organisms.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Lactaire délicieuxSaffron Milk Cap
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Never eat any mushroom you find in the wild unless an adult who knows about mushrooms says it's safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Lactarius deliciosus?
4-10 cm
Is Lactarius deliciosus edible?
edible
How big is Lactarius deliciosus?
5-15 cm
Where is Lactarius deliciosus usually found?
Forests
What does Lactarius deliciosus grow on?
soil
When is Lactarius deliciosus in season?
Summer to Fall
What color are Lactarius deliciosus spores?
Cream to yellowish
Snap Map
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