All candy cap species seem to be associated with a range of tree species.

The mushroom is commonly known as the "rufous candy cap".

As a result of these culinary properties, candy caps are highly sought after by many chefs.

The candy caps have been placed in various infrageneric groups of Lactarius depending on the author.

Candy caps may be distinguished from other Lactarius by the following characteristics:

It is therefore recommended that candy caps be gathered by hand, breaking the fragile stipe in ones fingers.

Candy caps are not typically consumed as vegetable the way most other edible mushrooms are consumed.

Lactarius rufulus, commonly known as the rufous candy cap, is a species of fungus in the Russulaceae family.

Latex: The latex of candy caps appears thin and whey-like, like milk that has been mixed with water.

Bon defined the candy caps and allies as making up the subsection Camphoratini of the section Olentes.

Odor: Candy caps have a distinctive odor (described above) that should not be present in other species of Lactarius.

Also note that when fresh, candy caps (especially Lactarius rubidus) may not have a noticeable odor, limiting the utility of this characteristic.

American author David Arora suggests that the fruit bodies may be used in a manner similar to the candy cap mushrooms, despite being not as fragrant.

Candy caps are unique among edible mushrooms in that they're often used in sweet and dessert foods, such as cookies and ice cream.

Currently he is playing as a solo musician and recording as Elliot Brown and the Candy Caps.

Like other species of Lactarius, candy caps are generally thought to be ectotrophic, with L. camphoratus having been identified in ectomycorrhizal root tips.

Taste: The flesh and latex of candy caps should always be mild-tasting to somewhat sweet, lacking any hint of bitterness or acridity.

A number of species of Lactarius are distinctly aromatic, though only some of these species are thought to be closely related to the candy cap group.

Candy caps can be distinguished from non-Lactarius species by their brittle stipe, while most other "LBMs" have a more flexible stipe.

Candy cap (Lactarius mushroom species whose maple syrup aroma derives from quabalactone III, which hydrolyzes into sotolon)

Galerina also present some risk of confusion with several species of small edible mushrooms, notably Kuehneromyces mutabilis and candy caps (L. camphoratus and allies).

Pileus: Candy caps never have a zonate pattern of coloration on the surface of the pileus, nor is the pileus ever even slightly viscid.

Candy cap or curry milkcap is the English-language common name for several closely related edible species of Lactarius; L. camphoratus, L. fragilis, and L. rubidus.

Lactarius helvus and L. aquifluus, found in Europe and North America, respectively, are also strongly aromatic and similar to candy caps, the former having the odor of fenugreek.

It is possible to mistake other distasteful or toxic species of mushrooms for candy caps or mistakenly include in such species in a larger collection of candy caps.