Rufous Milkcap

Lactarius rufus

Coniferous and mixed forests. Summer, autumn.

Fruiting bodies medium-sized, rarely large. Cap 3-8 (12) cm across, convex, later convex-flattened, the centre depressed, with a pointed umbo, margins bent downwards, dark reddish-brown, yellowish-brown, fading to greyish-brown. Young gills pale yellowish, later cream, reddish-brown, not narrow, adnate or semi-adnate. Stem 5—9 (10)x0.5—2 cm, paler than the cap. Flesh white, when old brownish, firm, brittle, with bitter white milk. Characteristic features: pinkish- or reddish-brown fruiting bodies, cap with an umbo. Grows in groups. Very common. Edible. To reduce the bitterness it should be soaked for 12-24 hours in cold salted water, then boiled for 20-30 min and the water poured away.