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.
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.
| Family | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Genus | Lactarius |
| Edibility | Edible* |
| Toxicity | unknown |
| Season | Sep-Dec |
| 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 |
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
Fall (September-December), fruiting after rains in pine areas.
Typical months: Sep-Dec
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species. The differentiator is the point — learn the one or two tells that separate them:
similar red latex, western native
orange latex not red
check latex color
Pin the patch before you leave it. Coordinates, photos, and field notes stay on your device — and the offline lookalike guide travels with you into the deep woods.
Download Mushroom TrackerDisclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Never consume a wild mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its identification.