Lactarius deliciousus (Orange Milky)

Lactarius deliciousus is conifer lover and can be found under, pines spruce, hemlocks etc. It is  scattered and buttons are frequently invisible under needles on the ground. Usually comes in several flushes, starting sometime at the end of August and into October. Some flashes can be really gregarious.

Name

The common names are Orange Milky (this sometimes also denotes several other orange Lactarius species, like volemus, hygrophoides and corrugis) and Saffron Milk Cap. Latest research shows that real Lactarius deliciousus grows only in Mediterranean basin. The rest of them are genetically different and should (probably will be in the near future) reclassified and renamed. The confusion comes from some pockets of the world were original seems to reside, but it was most likely introduced with imported coniferous trees (e.g. New Zealand).

Characteristics

  • cap is bright orange-yellow, up to 12cm in diameter, weekly zonated, starts with inrolled margin and flattens to become funnel shaped; slippery when wet
  • gills are dense, attached to stalk or decurrent, same color as cap
  • stalk is short, with blotches, frequently hollow
  • flesh is white, staining orange and then greenish
  • latex is orange, mild and turns green after some time
  • mature mushrooms always have some greenish tones present

Edibility

The edibility of this mushroom is not disputed in any literature, but opinions on quality and taste differ quite a bit. I guess the one of the reasons is existence of multiple slightly different species scattered across the planet. In Mediterranean basin (especially Spain) they are highly praised and sought after. In North America the consensus seem to be “mediocre”. I use it in my kitchen frequently. In my opinion it is best baked. I also dried, pickled and fermented them with good results.

Apparently there is a similar species in Europe, Lactarius deterrimus, that can be bitter, but grows only under  Norway spruce. There is some reports of North American lookalikes.