Lactarius rufus appears from late spring to late autumn.

Lactarius rufus is generally not recommended for consumption.

Lactarius rufus is a common, medium sized member of the Lactarius genus, whose many members are commonly known as milkcaps.

For example, a Paxillus involutus-conifer mycorrhiza seems to reduce the density of protozoa in the resulting mycorrhizosphere, but mycorrhizae formed with Lactarius rufus and Suillus bovinus have the opposite effect.

Other lactaranes are found in various Lactarius species, such as blennin A in L. deliciosus and L. blennius, and lactarorufin N in Lactarius rufus.

Lactarius piperatus, Lactarius torminosus, Lactarius rufus - these and other peppery-tasting Lactarius are pickled and eaten in Scandinavia, but are indigestible or poisonous unless correctly prepared.