Bloody Milkcap vs Clay-Gilled Milkcap

Lactarius sanguifluus compared with Lactarius argillaceifolius

Key Differences

• Bloody Milkcap is Extinct while Clay-Gilled Milkcap is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Bloody Milkcap	Clay-Gilled Milkcap
Kingdom same	Fungi (เห็ดรา)	Fungi (เห็ดรา)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order same	Russulales (Russulales)	Russulales (Russulales)
Family same	Russulaceae	Russulaceae
Genus same	Lactarius	Lactarius
Species	Lactarius sanguifluus	Lactarius argillaceifolius

Evolutionary Relationship

Bloody Milkcap and Clay-Gilled Milkcap share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Lactarius.

Conservation Status

Bloody Milkcap

EX — Extinct

Clay-Gilled Milkcap

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Bloody Milkcap	Clay-Gilled Milkcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Bloody Milkcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Norway, and Sweden.

Clay-Gilled Milkcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Brazil and United States.

Bloody Milkcap

The Bloody Milkcap (Lactarius sanguifluus) is a species in the genus Lactarius. It is currently classified as Extinct on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Clay-Gilled Milkcap

The Clay-gilled Milkcap, Lactarius helvus, is a medium to large mushroom in the family Russulaceae, notable for its distinctive fenugreek-like or curry-like scent when fresh or dried. The cap is typically dry, pale buff to pale brick-brown, and convex becoming flat or centrally depressed with age. The gills are closely spaced, crowded, and pale clay to buff in color, giving rise to the common name. When cut or broken, the flesh exudes a watery, mild to faintly acrid white latex, characteristic of the genus Lactarius. The Clay-gilled Milkcap is ectomycorrhizal, forming associations primarily with spruce and pine in boreal and montane forests of Europe, North America, and northern Asia. It fruits from late summer through autumn in coniferous forests, often in large numbers following rainy periods. Although widely consumed in parts of Eastern Europe after prolonged boiling and processing, the raw mushroom contains sesquiterpene lactones that can cause gastrointestinal distress and is considered mildly toxic if eaten without preparation. Its dried form is used as a spice substitute in some traditional recipes due to its aromatic qualities. The species is widespread and not considered threatened within its boreal and montane conifer forest range.