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.