The Fenugreek Milkcap is a poisonous mushroom but due to it’s strong fenugreek or stock cube smell and taste has been used in some countries after thorough boiling, drying and powdering then used sparingly as a seasoning. Easy to identify as it is the only UK Milkcap with completely clear latex or milk.
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Fenugreek Milkcap
Fenugreek Milkcap
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Fenugreek Milkcap (EN), Cap Llaeth Dwn (CY), Mleczaj Płowy (PL), Daróc-Tejelőgomba (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Lactarius helvus |
| Season Start | Aug |
| Season End | Nov |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 5-12 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 5-12 |
Please note that each and every mushroom you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.
Cap
Pale brown, ochre to pinkish brown with darker markings. Starting convex, flattening out with a slightly depressed centre, sometimes with a small umbo. Slightly velvety to touch. The edge starts in-rolled and never quite opens out fully.
Gills
Pale tan to ochre. The gills are decurrent and produce clear latex.
Milk
The latex or milk is clear. It is the only UK Milkcap with completely clear latex, there are a few more but their latex, though clear is still a bit milky.
Stem
Off white to red/brown, usually a little paler than the cap colour. Smooth.
Flesh
Off white, can be hollow in the stem.
Habitat
In Sphagnum moss with Pine and Beech.
Possible Confusion
Other Milkcaps but with almost completely clear latex and it’s habitat, it would hard to confuse with any other.
Taste / Smell
Smells of fenugreek/curry or stock cubes. Only really smells when dry or drying.
Frequency
Common in Scotland, occasional in England, and rarely reported from elsewhere, but widespread all around the UK.
Spores
Off white with a slight salmon hue. Ellipsoid with warts joined by thin ridges.
Other Facts
In March 2025 the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) added 1000 fungal species to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN (Global) Conservation Status of Fenugreek Milkcap (Lactarius helvus) is: LC – Least Concern, with stable population. For more information, see on the following link.
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