The specific epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek words chryso- "golden", and rheos "stream".

It is pale salmon, or rosy, with darker markings arranged in rough rings, or bands.

This milk is initially white, but when exposed to the air turns bright sulphur yellow in five to fifteen seconds.

[3] Many Lactarius species are similarly coloured, but not too many exude white milk that turns sulphur yellow.

[4] None of these can be found in Britain; Lactarius decipiens is on the British checklist, but is smaller than L. chrysorrheus, and grows with Hornbeam.