This species is frequently described under Laccaria tortilis ([Bolt.] S. F. Gray) Cooke. The identity of L. tortilis is a matter of conjecture as interpretation of the species rests on Bolton's illustrations and brief description. Many mycologists retain the epithet tortilis for the large-spored Laccaria with bisporous basidia (Orton, 1960), but Singer (1952) considered that L. tortilis was a small-spored species and regarded Rea's (1922) interpretation as the correct one. Singer (1943) took up the epithet echinospora, which was originally applied to a South American species by Spegazzini, for this large-spored Laccaria. As the type of  L. echinospora is still in existence. Singer's choice of names has been followed.

L. echinospora is widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and in temperate South America where it occurs under both native and introduced trees (Singer, 1952). The species is readily recognisable by the small, often distorted fructifications, bisporous basidia, and large coarsely echinulate spores. L. echinospora has not previously been recorded from New Zealand, and from the few collections it is not possible to decide whether it is an indigenous species. Stevenson (1964) stated that her record of  L. tortilis from this country applied to a small-spored species.

Stevenson (1964) included two distinct species in her original description and illustrations of Laccaria masonii. one with a glabrous, violaceous to buff coloured pileus. and the other with a radially fibrillose pileus. The type collection consists solely of fructifications with gabrous pilei and the name is accordingly restricted to this species. The second species is described under L. fibrillosa.

L. masonii is characterised by violaceous fructifications when young, coarsely spinose spores, and the absence of radial markings on the pileus. Although the violaceous tints disappear with maturity, the species may still be recognised by the spore ornamentation. L. masonii is restricted to southern beech forests.

Laccaria ohiensis has been comprehensively discussed by Singer (1967). In a correlative study of macroscopic and microscopic characters, and after taking into account ecological and phytogeographical considerations, Singer (1967) concluded that the species listed above as synonyms of L. ohiensis, each represented the sum of a series of collections from a particular phytogeographical region. New Zealand collections agree closely with L. lateritia, a species associated with Acacia, Eucalyptus, Pinus, and Quercus in North Africa, and it is perhaps significant that while L. ohiensis is relatively common in warmer parts of New Zealand, it has not been found in colder regions.

L. ohiensis is most probably an introduced species. It has been found only in habitats extensively altered by man, usually in association with introduced trees known to form ectotrophic mycorrhizas. A notable exception is the collection associated with the native mycorrhiza-former, Pomaderris kumeraho. In this instance, fructifications appeared around the base of a potted plant in a commercial nursery. The ability of Laccaria ohiensis to live as a facultatively mycorrhizal species is well illustrated by PDD 25969. The site on which these fructifications appeared had previously carried young Pinus radiata trees. Although these trees had all been cut down to ground level and the site made into lawn, fructifications of Laccaria ohiensis regularly appeared for at least seven years after the death of their higher plant partner.

L. ohiensis is characterised by the reddish brown pileus, longitudinally fibrillose stipe, bisporous basidia, and finely echinulate spores. It has not previously been recorded from New Zealand.

Laccaria ohiensis var. paraphysata differs from the type variety in the numerous, irregularly shaped, simple or sparingly branched paraphyses interspersed with the basidia. Macroscopically the two varieties are indistinguishable.

Var. paraphysata appears to be an endemic fungus. It has been found only in relatively undisturbed native bush and scrub dominated by Leptospermum.

The epithet proxima has usually been applied to a species closely resembling Laccaria laccata but of larger stature, with mainly elliptical spores less than 10 µm in longest dimension, and with spines to 1 µm long. However, Singer (1967) published a different interpretation of L. proxima based on a collection from the French Jura. He regards it as a species with rather coarsely echinulate, elliptical spores (10)-l 1-12.8 X 7.5-9.5 µm including spines, spines (1.2)-1.5-(2) µm long, and possessing numerous filamentous or subclavate paraphyses. Singer's interpretation of L. proxima agrees closely with the protologue in macroscopic characters, but it should be noted that Boudier described the spores of his fungus as finely and shortly echinulate. The fungus with smaller, finely echinulate spores, usually described under L. proxima, was regarded by Singer (1967) as possibly a large form of L. laccata var. laccata. New Zealand collections agree closely with Singer's interpretation of L. proxima, except that the spore ornamentation is slightly shorter.

L. proxima is an introduced species and has been found only in association with exotic conifers. It is characterised by the large stature, reddish brown pileus and stipe, and broadly elliptical spores. The species has not previously been recorded from New Zealand.

New Zealand collections agree closely with the type description of Laccaria tetraspora, and with a later description of the species by Singer (1952). In a subsequent publication. Singer (1967) recognised seven varieties and two forms of L. tetraspora, based primarily on spore size, height of spore ornamentation, and size of fructifications. New Zealand specimens fit readily within Singer's concept of var. tetraspora f. tetraspora, a taxon also occurring in Nothofagus areas of South America.

Laccaria tetraspora has often been confused with L. laccata. In a discussion of the identity of L. laccata. Singer (1967) concluded that L. laccata var. laccata as interpreted by. Fries was a small, reddish brown species with a cap to 3 cm diam. and a stipe to 8 cm long. It possessed finely echinulate, subglobose to short-elliptical spores 8.5-9.5 X 6.7-8 µm, with spines rarely more than 1 µm long. Thus L. tetraspora differs from L. laccata in the larger, globose to subglobose spores with spines to 2 µm long.

L. tetraspora f. tetraspora is characterised by the small fructifications, subglabrous to inconspicuously longitudinally fibrillose stipe, and globose to subglobose, moderately echinulate spores. The species has not previously been recorded from New Zealand, and its presence in undisturbed Nothofagus forest suggests that it is an indigenous species.