About Lactarius rufus (Scop.) Fr.
The cap of Lactarius rufus can grow up to 10 centimetres (4 inches) in diameter, and has a dark brick, bay, or red-brown colour. When young, the cap is convex and often has a small raised central boss called an umbo; as it matures, it flattens out and eventually develops a shallow depression in its centre. The cap surface is dry and matt. The stem is the same general colour as the cap but paler, and often becomes hollow as the mushroom ages. The gills are slightly decurrent, starting cream in colour, and later develop a colour matching the cap, though they remain paler overall. The spore print is creamy white with a faint salmon tint. Both the flesh and the abundant milk produced by the fungus are white; the milk tastes mild at first, but gradually becomes very hot and acrid within about a minute. Lactarius rufus fruits from late spring to late autumn. It is a frequent species in northern temperate zones of Europe and North America, and is most commonly found growing in association with pine trees. It can also grow in association with birch, other conifers, or spruce. It is common in northern California and the Pacific Northwest, where it fruits from late summer to early winter.
