Species library · Mushrooms

False Saffron Milk Cap: poisonous

Lactarius torminosus

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

False Saffron Milk Cap is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from July to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Woodland edges. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
False Saffron Milk Cap (Lactarius torminosus)

Photo: (c) Davide Puddu, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Davide Puddu · iNaturalist

When False Saffron Milk Cap appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

False Saffron Milk Cap is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

⚠ Look-alikes

Look up False Saffron Milk Cap in the app

In the Forage app, False Saffron Milk Cap has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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False Saffron Milk Cap: common questions

Is False Saffron Milk Cap poisonous?

Yes. False Saffron Milk Cap is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does False Saffron Milk Cap appear?

False Saffron Milk Cap usually appears from July to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does False Saffron Milk Cap grow?

False Saffron Milk Cap is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

What can False Saffron Milk Cap be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Downy milkcap, Spotted-stalk milkcap, Blushing milkcap. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits