Hygrophoropsis coacta closely resembles H. aurantiaca (Wulf. ex Fr.) Maire but differs in the glabrous, subglabrous or finely felted pileus and stipe. In H. aurantiaca, both pileus and stipe are velutinate to tomentose and the cuticle is formed by a trichodermium of interwoven, erect hyphae.

The organization of the hymenophoral trama is not easy to determine, as lamellae tend to split down the line of the mediostratum. However, the tramal hyphae are organised into an axial mediostratum and a closely packed lateral stratum as described for the genus by Singer (1962) and are not without organisation as indicated by Corner (1966). Singer's interpretation of the hymenophoral trama of Hygrophoropsis has been supported by the observations of Reid (1967).

H. coacta may be recognised by the pallid yellow, orange-yellow, or apricot tinted fruitbodies, repeatedly dichotomously branched lamellae, and the short pseudoamyloid spores. The characteristic colours of fresh fruitbodies are largely retained on drying.

HABITAT: Solitary on ground.

The above description is adapted from that of Cooke, with the addition of a few microscopical characters. The major difference between the two descriptions centres on the spores. In the protologue they were described as " . . . small, subglobose" and in Massee's (1898) description as ". . . globose, 4 µm. diameter." The type specimen is heavily contaminated with globose spores 3-4 µm. in diameter and it is likely that these were confused with the true spores of this species. Corner's (1966) description of the type is similar to that given above, although he retained the species in Cantharellus. The pseudoamyloid spore reaction in Melzer's solution which is characteristic of Hygrophoropsis was not mentioned by Corner.

There is some doubt as to the geographical position of the type locality. Hughes (1966) concluded that "Maungaroa" was an error for Mangaroa, a locality near Wellington.

Hygrophoropsis umbriceps is readily distinguishable from H. coacta by the darker coloured pileus, presence of a trichodermium, and the pallid stipe.

COLLECTIONS EXAMINED: Under (1) N. fusca. Nelson: Lake Daniels Track, 15.v.1969, R. F. R. McN.; (2) N. fusca and N. menziesii. Nelson: Maruia, 6.v.1968, R. F. R. McN.: (3) N. menziesii and N. solandri, Canterbury: Lewis Pass near Dan's Bridge, 7.v.1968, R. F. R. McN.; Boyle River, 25.iv.l969, R. F. R. McN.: (4) N. menziesii and N. solandri var. cliffortioides, Canterbury: near Cass, 31.iii.l968, M. J. Noonan

(ISOTYPE, PDD 26294).

Paxillus aurantiacus belongs in sect. Defibulati and is closely related to P. squarrosus. It differs in the yellow pileus, structure of the cuticle, white unchanging context, presence of sterile structures in the hymenium, and the finely velutinate to subglabrous stipe. The unchanging context, repeatedly dichotomously branched lamellae, and differences in chemical characters distinguish it from the South American P. statuum.

Singer (1962) indicated that if the Australian species P. muelleri (Berk.) Sacc. lacked clamp connections, it also should be included in sect. Defibulati. Subsequent examination of authentic material by Pegler (1965) showed that clamp connections were absent in this species, and the section now contains four species endemic to the South Temperate Zone.

Paxillus involutus is widely distributed throughout temperate and warm temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The species has also been recorded from temperate South America and Australia, but Singer (1964) considered that it might be introduced rather than indigenous to the Southern Hemisphere. It is not clear whether Singer and Moser (1965) regarded P. involutus as an introduced species in Chile. However, the strict association of P. involutus with exotic trees in Australia (Cleland, 1934) and New Zealand strongly suggests that it is not indigenous to these two countries.

The mycorrhizal status of P. involutus is uncertain. Singer (1964) considered it to be facultatively mycorrhizal and remarked that while it generally occurred in the shade of trees, it did not necessarily form mycorrhizas with them. Singer and Moser (1965) later regarded the species as transitionally mycorrhizal and capable of living either as a mycorrhizal fungus or independently. The fact that P. involutus occurs only in association with introduced ectotrophs indicates that it is obligatorily mycorrhizal in this country.

P. involutus is considered edible but of inferior quality. It has been reported to cause poisonings in Europe and it is now thought necessary to boil the fruitbodies and discard the liquid before eating (Singer, 1962). The species has not previously been recorded from New Zealand.

TYPE LOCALITY: Germany.

Pileus infundibuliformis vel irregulariter infundibuliformis, 6-18 cm diam., siccus, velutinatus vel subtomentosus, saepe rimosus, fuscus. Lamellae decurrentes, bipartito furcatae 4-(6) vicibus, ad 8 mm altae, sucinoflavae. Stipes 2-7 cm longus, subaequalis vel basaliter decrescens, 1-2.5 cm diam., siccus, subtiliter velutinatus vel subtomentosus, concolor cum pileo. Sporae late ellipticae, 7.8-11 X 4.5-5.8-(6.8) µm., leves.

Of the sections of Paxillus distinguished by Singer (1962), P. nothofagi fits most readily within sect. Veluticipites. The major point of disagreement between P. nothofagi and Singer's sectional diagnosis is in spore length, but this is possibly not of great importance, since the section is based on a single Australian species, P. veluticeps (Cooke & Mass.) Singer. The spores of P. veluticeps measure 13-18.3 X 4.5-6.3µm. and are considerably longer than those of P. nothofagi. As in sect. Defibulati, the two species admitted to sect. Veluticipites are both of south temperate distribution.

The strict association of P. nothofagi with Nothofagus suggests that it is a mycorrhizal species. It may be distinguished from P. squarrosus and P. aurantiacus by the larger fruitbodies, smaller elliptical spores, and the presence of clamp connections.

The absence of both clamp connections and a veil indicate that Paxillus squarrosus belongs in sect. Defibulati as defined by Singer (1962). It is closely allied to P. statuum (Speg.) Horak, a species associated with Nothofagus in South America, but differs in the typically dark brown pileus, repeatedly dichotomously branched lamellae, brown velutinate to tomentose stipe, and slightly smaller spores. Differences also occur in chemical characters. Horak (1967) has recently shown that P. statuum is an earlier name for P. defibulatus Singer, the type species of sect. Defibulati.

P. squarrosus is readily distinguishable from other endemic species by the dark brown, typically squarrose pileus, and the yellowish context, which stains reddish brown on exposure to air.