Cap 5.0-12 cm broad, convex, margin inrolled when young, becoming plano-convex to shallowly infundibuliform in age; surface viscid when moist, banded concentrically with shades of orange; often developing green discolorations in age; flesh thick, brittle, bleeding a sparse, dark red latex when cut; taste and odor mild.

 

Lamellae

Gills decurrent, narrow, close to crowded, dull orange, bleeding a dark red latex.

 

Stipe

Stipe 2-5 cm tall, 1.0-2.5 cm thick, solid and brittle when young, hollow in age, equal to tapered at the base; surface smooth, unpolished, dull orange-buff, bruising green where handled.

 

Spores

Spores 7-9 x 6-7.5 µm, ovoid with amyloid reticulations; spore print pale yellow.

 

Habitat

Scattered to gregarious under Douglas fir; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.

 

Comments

Lactarius rubrilacteus closely resembles L. deliciosus. Both species have orange to orange-red zoned, shallowly, infundibulate caps and tend to develop green discolorations in age, but Lactarius rubrilacteus has a dark reddish rather than carrot-orange latex. In addition, Lactarius rubrilacteus is associated with Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) while L. deliciosus is found with pines (Pinus).