The characters of this variety are dark-grey colour of cap and stipe; grey gills with finely serrulate margins which in the New Zealand collection were also dark-grey on the serrulate edges. Gilbert gives exceptional variations for spore size, 10.4-14 x 17-18um. Spores of the New Zealand collection, which otherwise agrees with this variety, were 12um diam., corresponding with typical A. vaginata. The original publication of Cleland & Cheel has a colour plate with distinctly reddish colouration, not agreeing exactly with the description. The New Zealand form illustrated here is darker.

under Nothofagus solandri, Nelson, 5.3.1955, Stevenson.