 Tricholoma pardinum mushrooms may be confused with several edible grey @-@ capped members of the genus Tricholoma , and some authorities recommend leaving all grey @-@ capped Tricholoma mushrooms for experienced hunters . There are several superficially similar European species that could be mistaken for T. pardinum . The smaller T. terreum lacks a mealy smell and cap scales , is darker coloured and less robust , and has smaller spores measuring 5 – 7 @.@ 5 by 4 – 5 μm . The edible T. <unk> somewhat resembles T. pardinum — but with finer scales , and gills and bruised parts that yellow with age . Unlike the preferentially montane T. pardinum , these lookalikes tend to fruit at lower elevations . T. <unk> is smaller and darker than T. pardinum , and has a peppery aroma . T. <unk> has fine dark scales and pinkish gills , brittle flesh , and is generally smaller . T. <unk> is smaller than T. pardinum , has a thin , fibrous partial veil on young specimens , and elliptical spores measuring 5 – 6 by 3 @.@ 5 – 4 μm . The edible and highly regarded T. <unk> is of a similar size , though has a uniform grey cap that is never scaled . 
