CHOICE EDIBLE: Excellent nutty flavor despite fishy odor (disappears when cooked). ABUNDANT WHITE LATEX + FISHY ODOR diagnostic. One of best Lactarius for eating. Best young. Cook thoroughly.
Bradley has orange-brown to reddish-brown cap (5-12 cm), dry, velvety. Gills cream, close, staining brown. Stem similar to cap. KEY: ABUNDANT WHITE LATEX, FISHY ODOR when old. Latex does not change color. Flesh firm, white. Spore print white. The copious latex and fishy smell diagnostic.
| Family | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Genus | Lactifluus |
| Edibility | Edible* |
| Toxicity | unknown |
| Season | Jul-Oct |
| Habitat | Mycorrhizal with HARDWOODS, especially oak. Grows on ground in mixed and hardwood forests. Common in eastern forests. Scattered or groups. |
| Region | Eastern United States, Midwest, Southeast, South Central |
Habitat: Mycorrhizal with HARDWOODS, especially oak. Grows on ground in mixed and hardwood forests. Common in eastern forests. Scattered or groups.
Region: Eastern United States, Midwest, Southeast, South Central
Summer through fall (July-October), fruiting throughout season.
Typical months: Jul-Oct
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species. The differentiator is the point — learn the one or two tells that separate them:
similar but larger, corrugated cap
check odor and latex abundance
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.