Purple-Staining California Milk Cap
Lactarius californiensis · Family Russulaceae · Updated October 2026
30US records
2states
Novbusiest month
30 US records since 1937 (18 in the last 10 years)
Last seen Feb 16, 2025 (about 20 months ago) near Occidental, Sonoma County, CA, a preserved specimen in INSDC Sequences. Most US records come from California and Oregon, and the busiest months are Nov, Feb and Jan. (Data as of October 26, 2026; records can lag by weeks.)
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Lookalike warning. Many mushrooms, including deadly ones, closely resemble each other, and the only reliable identification comes from an expert looking at the actual specimen (often with spore prints or microscopy). Never use a name, photo or record count on this page to decide what something is.
When it's recorded
Records by month, all years. Busiest: Nov, Feb, Jan.
Where it's recorded
| State | Records | Latest sighting |
|---|---|---|
| California | 29 | Feb 16, 2025 |
| Oregon | 1 | Nov 26, 1937 |
Top counties
- Mendocino County, CA (10) · latest Dec 18, 2024
- Los Angeles County, CA (4) · latest Mar 16, 2024
- Santa Cruz County, CA (4) · latest Jan 7, 2018
- Humboldt County, CA (4) · latest Aug 10, 2024
- Marin County, CA (3) · latest Dec 24, 2023
- Trinity County, CA (1) · latest Nov 23, 1984
- Monterey County, CA (1) · latest Feb 9, 1997
- Sonoma County, CA (1) · latest Feb 16, 2025
- Josephine County, OR (1) · latest Nov 26, 1937
- San Mateo County, CA (1) · latest Dec 24, 2021
More on this species from GBIF.
Bring along
🍄
Regional mushroom field guideSee on Amazon🍄
Folding mushroom knife with brushSee on Amazon🍄
Wicker foraging basketSee on Amazon🍄
10x hand lens / loupeSee on Amazon🍄
Spore print paperSee on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.