Mycorrhizal, it can be found growing in soil at the base of birch trees in Europe.

Its specific name is derived from the Ancient Greek words glukos "sugar(y)", and osmos "smell".

Sometimes there is a central pimple, and the cap is typically coloured a greyish lilac, sometimes varying to a pale buff.

The cylindrical stem is typically widest at the bottom becoming narrower towards the top, or sometimes club shaped.

[6] Lactarius glyciosmus is a common mushroom and is found under broad-leaved trees, particularly birch—often inside of sphagnum moss.

[2] It can be found in North America and Europe,[8] New Zealand,[9] Svalbard,[10] Japan,[11] and China.