Voluminous Milk-cap

Lactarius volemus

Family: Russulaceae

Also called: Fishy Milkcap, Tawny Milkcap, Chichigua, Chichihualli

Voluminous Milk-cap (Lactarius volemus)
Photo:This image was created by user Dan Molter (shroomydan) at Mushroom Observer, a source for mycological images.You can contact this user here.(CC BY-SA 3.0)View original source →

Overview

Orange-tawny milk-cap that bleeds copious white milk turning brown, with a strong fishy or shellfish smell when older. Pan-temperate — eastern North America, Europe, East Asia, and the Mexican monsoon highlands. Choice fried; the smell cooks off. Sold in Mexican markets as 'chichigua'.

Edibility
Edible
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
mycorrhizal
Typical peak
Aug

Season

Jul–Sep — typical fruiting months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Host trees & substrate

  • Quercus
  • Fagus
  • Castanea

Where it grows

See live fruiting predictions for Voluminous Milk-cap on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.

Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.