Lactarius deliciosus, the saffron milk cap, is a carrot-orange milk cap with concentric zones on the cap and orange latex that does not change color, while its flesh and gills slowly stain green. It is mycorrhizal with pines. It is native to Europe and has been introduced to the Southern Hemisphere with pine plantations. DNA studies show European L. deliciosus differs from North American milk caps long given this name.
Edible and traditionally prized in Europe, often salted or pickled; it may taste mild or bitter. Large meals can turn urine orange or red, which is harmless. Check for unchanging orange latex and green staining. North American look-alikes differ: L. rubrilacteus has red latex and stains blue, and L. olympianus has white latex.
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Habitat
Mycorrhizal with pines on acidic soils, in natural pine forests and plantations; on the ground among needles and moss. Late summer to autumn.
Distribution
Native to Europe, including the Mediterranean basin. Introduced with pine plantations in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Probably absent from North America: MushroomExpert treats the name as misapplied there (one California report, by Methven, remains), and North American collections belong to other taxa.
Characteristics
Cap: 3-20 cm; convex to vase-shaped, inrolled when young; carrot-orange, often with darker concentric zones; sticky when wet. Gills: crowded, decurrent, orange, staining green. Stem: 2-8 cm long, 1-2.5 cm thick; orange, often hollow; often with darker pot-holes (scrobiculi). Latex: orange to orange-red, not changing color. Flesh: stains green slowly when handled. Spore print: cream.
