Candy Cap - Lactarius rubidus and Lactarius rufulus
Biological Information: Candy Caps are found growing among Coast Live Oaks, Tan Oak and Douglas Fir trees with who they share a mycorrhizal relationship. They can be found growing solitary or in loose clusters during Fall and Winter along the west coast of North America. The caps are lightly convexed becoming flattened and they have an overall vase shape that ranges from orange brown to reddish brown color that remains to the bottom of the stipe. They have an odor of maple syrup and sugar that becomes stronger when they are dried which is what gives them their name Candy Cap.