✅ Edibility Note
CHOICE EDIBLE: Highly prized in Europe. The BLOOD-RED LATEX is diagnostic. Mild, excellent flavor. May stain purple when cooked - normal. Best when young. Cook thoroughly.
Description
Bloody Milk Cap has an orange to pinkish-orange cap (4-12 cm) with darker concentric zones and greenish stains. Gills are orange-pink, crowded. Stem is orange with darker pits. KEY FEATURE: BLOOD-RED to WINE-RED LATEX (milk) when cut - very distinctive dark red color. Latex darkens to purple-red. Flesh is pale to pinkish. Spore print is pale pinkish. The blood-red latex is diagnostic.
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat: Mycorrhizal with PINE (Pinus) in Europe and introduced to North America. Grows under pine trees, especially Mediterranean pines. Found in pine plantations, parks. Prefers sandy soils.
Region: Europe (native), Introduced to North America, California, Where pines planted
Seasonality
Fall (September-December), fruiting after rains in pine areas.
Common Lookalikes
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species:
- Lactarius rubrilacteus - similar red latex, western native
- Lactarius deliciosus - orange latex not red
- Other orange Lactarius - check latex color
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