Candy Cap

Appearance

Pileus
Cap 1.5-4.5 cm broad, convex with a slightly inrolled margin when young, becoming nearly plane, occasionally with a small umbo but more typically with a depressed disc, the margin wavy and sometimes upturned in age; surface smooth to faintly furrowed, rusty-brown, azonate; flesh thin, brittle, pale buff-brown, unchanging, bleeding a watery latex when cut; taste mild; odor faintly of brown sugar or butterscotch.

Lamellae
Gills subdecurrent, moderately broad, close, pale pinkish-brown, darker in age, exuding a watery latex when injured.

Stipe
Stipe 2-5 cm tall, 0.4-1.0 cm thick, equal to tapered to slightly narrowed base, sometimes twisted, brittle, hollow at maturity; surface, smooth, lined at the apex from gill edges, colored as the cap.

Spores
Spores 6.5-7.5 µm, nearly round, with amyloid reticulate ornamentation; spore print cream-buff.

Naming

Lactarius fragilis var. rubidus

Distribution

West coast of North America

Habitat

Solitary to scattered in mixed hardwood/conifer woods; in humus, moss, rotting wood, along trails, and road banks; fruiting from mid to late winter.

Uses

Edible and good; often used in breads and confections, but one of us (MW) believes it is better used in savory dishes. Use caution regarding look-alikes.