a.
Pileus grey or brown; stipe without annulus; veil sparse, only at centre and brown; when veil whitish or silvery grey then spores warty; subsect. Atramentarii (Fr.) Konr. & Maubl.
b.
Pileus whitish with cream, ochre or darker brown centre; stipe with annulus on lower half of stipe; veil white; subsect. Coprinus Sing.