(36 votes, average: 4.14 out of 5)
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Saffron Milkcap
Edible 
Autumn 
Summer 
Uncommon in the South this tasty mushroom is more frequent in Scotland and Northern Britain.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Saffron Milkcap (EN), Red Pine Mushroom, Cap Llaeth Saffrwm (CY), Mleczaj Rydz (PL), Ízletes Rizike (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Lactarius deliciosus |
| Season Start | Jul |
| Season End | Nov |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 7 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 10 |
Cap
Convex with a depression in the centre when young becoming shallowly funnel-shaped. Salmon pink/orange with darker concentric rings. Green areas especially on aging or bruising.
Gills
Gills pale pink/saffron becoming carrot coloured and eventually bruising green. Gills running slightly down the stem and quite crowded.
Milk
Can exude carrot coloured milk which will also turn green on drying.
Stem
Orange to salmon pink with darker spots or shallow depressions or pits. Can have green markings.
Flesh
Orange becoming white towards the centre of the stem. Exudes carrot coloured milk which will turn green after drying.
Habitat
Growing under pines.
Possible Confusion
The False Saffron Milkcap (Lactarius deterrimus), pictured, which is edible but not quite as good as deliciosus.
The Lactarius semisanguifluus is similar but has more red than orange milk.
The Woolly Milkcap (Lactarius torminosus), but this has ‘woolly’ edges to the cap that extend in towards the stem and has off white milk not Carrot coloured.
Spore Print
Pale ochre to pale salmon coloured. Ellipsoid with ridges. You should scrape your spores into a small pile to get an accurate spore colour.
Taste / Smell
Good with a crisp texture. Will turn your meal orange.
Frequency
Uncommon in the South becoming more prevalent the further North you look.
11 comments for Saffron Milkcap
found some in bracknell (stem almost hollow from maggots) berkshire far south of scotland 🙂
A hollow stem is synonymous with the false Saffron milk cap,still edible but not as tasty.
Hi guys,2 years ago i found some close to Yeovil, does anyone know if someone find it around Tiverton please??
Best Regards
Noti
We have found some in Church Crookham today (near Aldershot, Hampshire).
Yes I found some near the woods around the Motorcycle Training Centre Aldershot too.
I’ve been finding loads over the past few days in the same area as you guys. Always under pine.
I found 2 of these yesterday in Kent in my garden under my pine tree, both large but one the size of a dinner plate.
Kilos and kilos around Inverness
Found a load all around a pine tree in South Wales. Approx 2.5 away from center of tree in a complete circle. Young and old. 3pm 19th October.
I found an abundance of these beauties yesterday while I was out foraging. Pine plantation behind sand dunes. East coast of Scotland. Deliciosus!!
found in Box Hill Surrey.