Lactarius rubrilacteus

*Lactarius rubrilacteus*
Lactarius rubrilacteus
Mycological characteristics
	Gills on hymenium
	Cap is convex
	Hymenium is decurrent
	Stipe is bare
	Spore print is cream
	Ecology is mycorrhizal
	Edibility is edible

Lactarius rubrilacteus
	Cap underside
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Russulales
Family:	Russulaceae
Genus:	Lactarius
Species:	L. rubrilacteus
Binomial name
	Lactarius rubrilacteus; Hesler & A.H.Sm. (1979)

Last updated April 03, 2026

Lactarius rubrilacteus is a species of fungus of the genus Lactarius .^[1] It is also known as the bleeding milkcap.^[2] The mushroom is typically orangish-brown but bruises green. The cap is 6–14 centimetres (2+1⁄4–5+1⁄2 in) wide and the stem up to 6 cm long. The flesh often exudes a latex when cut and the spore print is beige.

Description

The mushroom can have either an orangish-brown or a bluish-green hue.^[3]^[4] It bruises green, and is more commonly greenish in old, damaged, or unexpanded specimens (e.g. a "button" at the base).^[5]^[2] It has many laticifers which appear as a white network across its surface.^[4]

The cap of the mushroom is convex, sometimes shield-shaped, and 6–14 centimetres (2+1⁄4–5+1⁄2 in) across;^[2] it also has quite an underfolded margin and a depressive disk.^[3] The stem is coloured like the cap,^[6] up to 6 cm long and 2.5 cm thick.^[2]

When sliced or cut, the mushroom flesh will typically release a dark red to purple latex or milky substance.^[1] The flesh will lose colour when damaged, and is usually granular or brittle to the touch.^[3] The fungus exudes a slight odour that is faintly aromatic.^[3]

The spores are creamy white or yellow and ellipsoid in shape.^[3]^[4] The spore print is beige.^[2]

Chemical reactivity

Potassium hydroxide: When the mushroom comes in contact with potassium hydroxide, most of the mushroom, including the mantle and ectomycorrhizae, loses its bluish hue and becomes a dull brown.^[4]
Melzer's reagent: Hardly any visible reaction on any part of the mushroom occurs. This particular mushroom appears to have little reactivity to Melzer's Reagent.^[4]
Sulfovanillin: Most of the mushroom becomes a reddish-brown color, but the oldest roots of the fungi stay unaltered by contact with sulfovanillin.^[4]

Similar species

Lactarius deliciosus is a related species, but its cap differs in appearance.^[5] L. sanguifluus is similar,^[5] perhaps even synonymous,^[2] and is mycorrhizal with pine in Europe.^[2] Additionally, L. barrowsii , L. paradoxus and L. subpurpureus may be similar.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

The mushroom is primarily found in parts of western North America, growing in forests and on the ground. The mushroom usually finds cover under conifer trees, mainly Douglas-fir.^[3] It is widely distributed in these areas between the months of June and October.^[3]

Uses

The mushroom is edible,^[7] but has a grainy texture^[2] and is of little interest.^[6] It is recommended to roast or bake it slowly in order to prevent it from being too grainy.^[8]

References

1 2 Rich, Robert. "Lactarius rubrilacteus" . Retrieved 18 April 2007.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-0-89815-170-1.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Lactarius rubrilacteus". RogersMushrooms.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lactarius rubrilacteus Hesler & Smith". British Columbia Ectomycorrhizal Research Network. Archived from the original on 26 May 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
1 2 3 Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.
1 2 Telander, Todd (2023). Mushrooms. A Falcon Field Guide (2nd ed.). Essex, CT: Falcon Guides. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-4930-6558-5.
↑ Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.
↑ Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 255. ISBN 9781941624197.

External links

Media related to Lactarius rubrilacteus at Wikimedia Commons

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[rich-1] 1 2 Rich, Robert. "Lactarius rubrilacteus" . Retrieved 18 April 2007.

[Arora-2] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-0-89815-170-1.

[rog-3] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Lactarius rubrilacteus". RogersMushrooms.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2007.

[sci-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lactarius rubrilacteus Hesler & Smith". British Columbia Ectomycorrhizal Research Network. Archived from the original on 26 May 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2007.

[:0-5] 1 2 3 Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.

[falc-6] 1 2 Telander, Todd (2023). Mushrooms. A Falcon Field Guide (2nd ed.). Essex, CT: Falcon Guides. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-4930-6558-5.

[Miller2006-7] Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.

[:02-8] Siegel, Noah; Schwarz, Christian (September 1, 2024). Mushrooms of Cascadia: A Comprehensive Guide to Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Humboldt County, CA: Backcountry Press. p. 255. ISBN 9781941624197.

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