Four identification units in Galerina are keyed out separately. Three units cover the significant variation in spore surface features in the genus, and the fourth is for a highly distinct species.

• Galerina nana is keyed out separately because of the presence of thick-walled, crystal-capped (metuloid) cystidia, which is very unusual in the genus.

• Galerina (other) covers the bulk of the species, including G. muscolignosa and G. patagonica, where the spores are verrucose and there is a distinct plage.

• Galerina (smooth spores) includes two species (Galerina bunyaensis and G. inflata) keyed out separately due to the smooth spores. These species are similar to genera such as Tubaria.

• Galerina (rough spores, no plage) includes species such as G. subpumila and G. truncospora keyed out separately due to the lack of a plage. They can be confused with small species of Cortinarius.

Galerina Earle, Bull. New York Bot. Gard. 5: 423 (1909).