MushieIndigo milk cap (Lactarius indigo)
Edible (expert ID)
The indigo milk cap is a vivid blue mushroom that bleeds dark blue latex when cut. It fades to grey-green as it ages.
| Scientific name | Lactarius indigo |
|---|---|
| Other names | Indigo-Milchling · Lactaire indigo · Blue milk mushroom |
| Family | Russulaceae |
| Season | Jun – Oct |
| Habitat | Under oak, pine and hemlock |
| Range | Eastern North America, Central America and East Asia |
| Spore print | Pale yellow |
| Smell | Mild |
How to identify Indigo milk cap
| Cap | Indigo blue, fading to silvery grey-green, 5–15 cm, with concentric zones |
|---|---|
| Underside | Blue gills that bruise green |
| Stem | Blue, hollow, with dark spots |
| Smell | Mild |
| Spore print | Pale yellow |
Is Indigo milk cap edible or poisonous?
Edible (expert ID). Regarded as edible when cooked. It has a mild flavour and a gritty texture.
Indigo milk cap look-alikes
Blue colouring in other mushrooms is often from bruising, not milk.
When does Indigo milk cap grow?
Indigo milk cap is typically found Jun – Oct in under oak, pine and hemlock. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Indigo milk cap edible?
Indigo milk cap (Lactarius indigo) is regarded as edible by field guides when it has been correctly identified and properly cooked. Regarded as edible when cooked. It has a mild flavour and a gritty texture. Never eat a wild mushroom based on an app or a website. Confirm identification and edibility in person with a qualified local expert.
What does Indigo milk cap look like?
Indigo blue, fading to silvery grey-green, 5–15 cm, with concentric zones. Underside: blue gills that bruise green. Stem: blue, hollow, with dark spots.
What are the look-alikes of Indigo milk cap?
Blue colouring in other mushrooms is often from bruising, not milk.
When and where does Indigo milk cap grow?
Indigo milk cap is usually found from Jun to Oct. Habitat: under oak, pine and hemlock. Range: Eastern North America, Central America and East Asia.
Found something like indigo milk cap?
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Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Lactarius indigo. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.