Hypholoma capnoides is distinguished from many of its look-alikes by its purplish brown spore print, its lack of a persistent ring, and its dry cap. Two other common Hypholoma species are similar; the reportedly poisonous Hypholoma fasciculare has yellowish green gills when young, and a bitter taste--and Hypholoma sublateritium has a brick-red cap. Smith, Smith & Weber (1979) report the possibility of mushrooms intergrading between Hypholoma capnoides and Hypholoma sublateritium.