Lactarius paradoxus grows during the summer and fall. It is striking when young, with its silver-blue cap and purple gills, though these colors often fade with age. Lactarius mushrooms exude a milky latex substance when their gills are broken, and this species has latex with a red hue, which can be a helpful identifying characteristic when the colors are faded.
Cap Diameter:
4 - 14 cm
Odor:
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Lactarius paradoxus
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Attributes of Lactarius paradoxus
Cap Diameter
4 - 14 cm
Height
3 - 6 cm
Cap
Cap 4 - 13 cm across; broadly convex; bluish, grayish to purplish tan
Cap Shape
Convex, Depressed
Cap Surfaces
Smooth, Slimy or slightly sticky
Gills
Broadly attached; close; purplish pink, dirty buff; display dirty green when bruised
Gill Attachment
Attached
Stem
Stem 2 - 4 cm long, 1 - 1.5 cm thick; tapered to the base; bald; purplish, dirty green
Stem Shapes
Tapering
Stem Surfaces
Smooth
Flesh
Firm; whitish to bluish, greenish; display purplish red when sliced
The lactarius paradoxus is commonly associated with pine and oak woods, as it forms a symbiotic relationship with those specific trees. It grows on the ground under its host tree, always in the vicinity of its roots.
