Key Identification Features
- Small to medium reddish-brown to orange-brown cap (2–7 cm), gills same color as cap, exudes watery mild milk (latex) when broken, no color change of latex. Key feature: strong maple syrup / maple candy aroma, especially when dried. Grows under live oak and tanoak in CA/PNW
- associated with Douglas-fir in PNW.
Preparation Notes
The maple syrup aroma intensifies dramatically when dried. Used in desserts (ice cream, cookies). One of the most unique culinary mushrooms in North America.
Regions Found
Region data not available
Look-Alikes
No documented look-alikes on record.
Safety disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. Never eat a wild mushroom based solely on online information. Always verify identification using multiple reliable field guides and, when possible, consult an experienced forager or mycologist. When in doubt, don't eat it. Spore & Scout accepts no responsibility for identification errors or adverse reactions.