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.

(1)     coll. J. E. C. Aberdeen, Queensland, 4.8.1952; spores globose, 8-9 µm diam., spines in, close-set.

(2)     coll. R. W. G. Dennis, Portugal, 16.10.1955; spores ovoid 8-9 x 10-11 µm, spines 0.5 µm.

(3)     Herbarium Berkeley, coll. in Tasmania; spores ovoid 8-9 x 10-11 µm, spines 0.5 µm.

Lange (1935) describes the spores of C. (Laccaria) laccata var. proxima, as ovate-globose, minutely echinulate, 7.5-9 x 6.75-7.5 µm, with spines 1 µm long, but mentions also collections with large globose, spores and comments, probably the form of the spore is not constant; Rea (1922) states that both elliptical and globose spores have been found on the same plant, but this does not seem to have been confirmed and is contrary to the writer's observations.

New Zealand collections which have been examined usually have globose spores, 9-10 µm diam., with well-developed spines, but ovoid spores have also been seen. More information about the distribution of spore forms in relation to macroscopic characters would be interesting.