Bloody Milkcap

Description

Lactarius sanguifluus, commonly known as the Bloody Milkcap, is a highly prized edible mushroom belonging to the Russulaceae family. It is characterized by its distinctive reddish-orange to wine-red latex (milk) that exudes when the mushroom is cut or bruised, and its association with pine trees. This species is particularly sought after in Mediterranean regions for its culinary value.

How to Identify

Cap

The cap typically ranges from 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 4 inches) in diameter, initially convex, becoming flattened or slightly depressed in the center with age, sometimes with a shallow umbilicus. The margin is often inrolled when young, becoming wavy and sometimes lobed with maturity. The color varies from reddish-orange to brick-red, often with greenish stains developing with age or handling, especially towards the center. The surface is smooth, dry, and sometimes slightly sticky when moist. Concentric zones (zonation) may be faintly visible, especially when young.

Gills

The gills are decurrent (running down the stem), crowded, and brittle. They are initially pale orange to reddish-orange, becoming darker and often developing greenish stains with age or bruising. They exude the characteristic wine-red latex when damaged.

Stem

The stem is 3 to 8 cm (1.2 to 3.1 inches) long and 1 to 2.5 cm (0.4 to 1 inch) thick, cylindrical or slightly tapering towards the base, often hollow with age. The color is similar to the cap, reddish-orange to brick-red, sometimes with darker spots or scrobiculations (small pits) that are often concolorous with the stem. The surface is smooth or finely pruinose (powdery).

Flesh

The flesh is firm and brittle, whitish to pale orange, and quickly stains wine-red to purplish-red when cut or broken, especially near the gills and stem. It exudes a copious, thick, wine-red to blood-red latex (milk) when cut, which does not change color significantly upon exposure to air. The taste is mild to slightly acrid, and the smell is faintly fruity or indistinct.

Fruiting body

The fruiting body is a typical agaric (gilled mushroom) with a cap, gills, and a central stem. It is robust and fleshy.

Habitat

Lactarius sanguifluus is a mycorrhizal fungus, forming a symbiotic relationship primarily with pine trees (Pinus species), particularly Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and other two-needled pines. It is found in coniferous forests, often on calcareous soils.

Key Facts

• Cap surfaces: Smooth, dry, sometimes slightly sticky when moist
• Growth Form: Solitary to scattered or gregarious
• Spore Print: Pale ochre to yellowish-orange
• Body color: Reddish-orange to brick-red, often with greenish stains
• Odor: Faintly fruity or indistinct
• Flesh bruises: Stains wine-red to purplish-red when cut, exuding blood-red latex
• Height: 3-8 cm (1.2-3.1 inches)
• Cap Diameter: 4-10 cm (1.6-4 inches)
• Nutrient gathering: Mycorrhizal

Quick Check

• Odor: Faintly fruity or indistinct
• Fruiting: Late summer to late autumn
• Substrate: Soil, mycorrhizal with pine trees

Where to Find

Finding Tips

Similar Species

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Basidiomycota

Class

Agaricomycetes

Order

Russulales

Family

Russulaceae

Genus

Lactarius

Storage Information

• Max Temperature: 4°C
• Freezing duration: 6 months
• Min Temperature: 0°C
• Refrigeration: 5 days

How to Clean

Gently brush off any dirt or debris with a soft brush or damp cloth. Avoid washing under running water as mushrooms can absorb excess moisture, affecting texture and flavor. Trim off any damaged or insect-ridden parts. The gills can sometimes hold a lot of debris, so careful cleaning is important.

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