Curry Milkcap

Habitat

Occurs in coniferous, broad-leaved, and mixed woodlands, frequently preferring acidic soil and associating with birch and pine. It is also found on heathland, moorland, and in humus. Specimens may grow singly, in scattered groups, or in large clusters.

Photos

Appearance

Cap

2.5 to 6 cm wide, initially convex then flattening and becoming depressed, often featuring a small central bump. The surface is smooth and matt, colored red-brown to brick-red, often darker at the center with a persistently inrolled margin.

Stem

3 to 8 cm tall, slender and cylindrical or slightly tapering downwards. It is colored similarly to the cap, sometimes darker at the base or velvety at the apex, eventually becoming hollow.

Gills

Crowded and slightly decurrent, ranging from pinkish-cream to ochre and eventually red-brown.

Flesh

Red-brown to pale brown.

Milk

White and fairly watery with a mild taste.

Spore print

Pale cream to cream.

Odor

Initially faint or slightly unpleasant when fresh, but developing a very strong fragrance of curry, maple syrup, or newly mown grass as it dries.

Edibility

Possesses a strong scent of curry, maple syrup, or fenugreek that intensifies upon drying, though the fresh taste can be mild or slightly bitter. This species is mildly toxic and should only be consumed in small quantities, primarily used as a powdered spice for sauces or baked goods. Care must be taken not to confuse it with other small brown mushrooms, including the deadly Galerina marginata or similar-looking milkcaps like the unpleasant-smelling Lactarius rostratus or the watery-milk Lactarius fragilis.

Nutrient Source

It gains nutrients by forming a symbiotic relationship with tree roots, exchanging nutrients from the soil for sugars from the tree.

Common Names

Basque

kanfor-esneki

Danish

Kamfer-mælkehat

Dutch

Kruidige melkzwam

English

Curry-Scented Milk-Cap, Curry Milkcap

Finnish

sikurirousku

French

Lactaire à odeur de punaise, Lactaire à odeur de chicorée

German

Kampfer-Milchling

Norwegian Bokmål

duftriske

Norwegian Nynorsk

duftriske

Spanish

lactario alcanforado

Swedish

kamferriska, curryriska

Welsh

Cap Llaeth Cyri

Synonyms

• Agaricus camphoratus
• Agaricus cimicarius
• Galorrheus camphoratus
• Lactarius cimicarius
• Lactarius fragilis
• Lactarius rutaceus
• Lactarius terryi
• Lactifluus camphoratus
• Lactifluus terryi