Nordic mushrooms – get to know the species
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Spruce Milkcap

Spruce Milkcap

Lactarius deterrimus
Edible
★★★☆☆
Taste rating: 3 out of 5

How to identify it

Cap
The cap is orange to orange-brown, often with concentric zones and later green patches.
Underside
The gills are orange and may turn green with age. Orange milk appears when damaged.
Stem
The stem is orange to pale orange and may have small pits. It is relatively short and stout.
Smell
Mild, fruity to resinous smell.

Occurrence and habitat

It grows with spruce, often in spruce woodland and on mossy ground.

Look-alike species

These mushrooms can resemble Spruce Milkcap. Look closely at features, habitat and images to see the differences.

Grey pine blood milkcap
Grey pine blood milkcap
Lactarius semisanguifluus
★★★★★
Good edible mushroom

See the species features above and always compare several characteristics.

Read more about Grey pine blood milkcap ›
Pine blood milkcap
Pine blood milkcap
Lactarius deliciosus
★★★★★
Excellent edible mushroom

See the species features above and always compare several characteristics.

Read more about Pine blood milkcap ›
Green-spotted milkcap
Green-spotted milkcap
Lactarius semisanguifluus
★★★★★
Good edible mushroom

See the species features above and always compare several characteristics.

Read more about Green-spotted milkcap ›
Wine-red milkcap
Wine-red milkcap
Lactarius sanguifluus
★★★★★
Excellent edible mushroom

See the species features above and always compare several characteristics.

Read more about Wine-red milkcap ›

Preparation

Clean and fry thoroughly. It is suitable for butter-fried mushrooms, stews and pickling.

Recipe suggestions

Fried Spruce Milkcap with butter, onion and dill.

Images – study the mushroom from several angles

Click an image to display it as the main image.

⚠ Important safety information

Habitat is important: Spruce Milkcap is associated with spruce. Always compare it with other milkcaps before eating.

Facts and sources

Sources
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken/Artfakta
Checked batch 10 – factual text compiled against