How to identify Bloody Milkcap

To correctly identify Bloody Milkcap (Lactarius sanguifluus), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   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.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   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.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   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).

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   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.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

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

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   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)

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Decurrent
• Stem shape: Cylindrical or slightly tapering towards the base
• Stem surface: Smooth or finely pruinose, sometimes with darker spots/scrobiculations
• Ring: Absent
• Stem cross-section: Solid when young, becoming hollow with age

Explore Bloody Milkcap