About Lactarius aestivus Nuytinck & Ammirati
Lactarius aestivus has a cap that ranges from orange to pale orange, with a diameter of 3 to 12 centimeters. Young caps are convex with an inrolled margin, and become depressed as the mushroom matures. Its gills are orange to orangish buff, and attach to the stipe in an adnate to subdecurrent arrangement. The stipe measures 3 to 6 centimeters long and 1 to 2.5 centimeters wide, and is orangish with brighter orange spots. The spore print of this species is pale yellowish or cream-colored. When cut, the mushroom sometimes produces small amounts of orange latex that stains greenish. This fungus is mycorrhizal, grows under fir and hemlock trees, and fruits from late summer through fall, sometimes extending into winter.
