# 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.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Forests
- **Also known as:** Lactaire délicieux, Saffron Milk Cap

![Lactarius deliciosus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lactarius_deliciosus.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lactarius_deliciosus.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Russulales
- **Family:** Russulaceae
- **Genus:** Lactarius

## 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

- **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.
- **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
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 5-15 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Summer to Fall
- **Spore Color:** Cream to yellowish

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** [Scots Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Forms mycorrhizal relationship, sharing nutrients.
- **Symbiotic with:** [Norway Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — Slugs are known to feed on various fungi in forests.

## Traits

- [Mycorrhizal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mycorrhizal): This trait describes a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of a plant, benefiting both organisms.
- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## 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 to identify Lactarius deliciosus?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### 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

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Lactarius deliciosus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lactarius-deliciosus)