Lactarius semisanguifluus

What You Should Know

Lactarius semisanguifluus is a species of fungus in the family Russulaceae. The cap is variable in size and does not exceed 3 or 4 cm, although it is more common to find them with a diameter of between 5 and 10 cm. This measure depends on the rainfall that has occurred in the growing season and its area of ​​distribution. When they are young this hat has a convex shape. When it reaches adulthood, it becomes funneling. Its color is pale orange and has not very marked concentric areas. As they develop, it quickly becomes greenish with some grayish tinge and with some darker green areas.

It has certain adnate-type plates and is a little decurrent. These blades are pale orange and have lamellae that are often bifurcated towards the foot. These lamellae turn a wine-red color on the wounds when the latex dries. And it is that the Lactarius semisanguifluus emits a type of reddish latex, in some cases, it can be practically exuded continuously. When the mushroom is in its adult stage, these blades also turn green. These are indicative of your age.

Lactarius semisanguifluus can be found commonly and abundantly in coniferous forests from the late summer to October and November. It has a greater preference for calcareous soils and for growing under scots pines. Can be cooked on the grill or whole in the pan with various seasonings.

Other names: False Saffron Milkcap.

Lactarius semisanguifluus Mushroom Identification

1. Cap

   Orange with concentric darker or lighter lines with green patches. Starting convex but soon developing depression in the middle and becoming funnel-shaped.

2. Gills

   Orange and slightly decurrent, fairly crowded, and bruising green.

3. Milk

   The milk is carrot orange, turning to wine red after about half an hour then eventually turning green.

4. Stem

   Orange and smooth unlike the pitted stem of the true Saffron Milkcap.

5. Flesh

   Orange at the edges then white and usually hollow in the stem.

6. Habitat

   With coniferous trees, especially Spruces and Pines.

7. Odor and Taste

   Good but the bitterness from the milk can sometimes be tasted.

8. Spores

   Pale ochre. Ellipsoid with a network of thick and thin ridges.

Sources:

Photo 1 - Author: federicocalledda (Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International)

Photo 2 - Author: laurentbarthe (Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International)

Photo 3 - Author: bkaounas (Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International)