Found growing beneath hemlocks and mixed hardwoods on non-woody substrate. Older specimens are funnel shaped with a discolored cap (brown), but not necessarily coarsely scaly. Young caps with inrolled margins have a soft very fine suede leather feel. Latex is white on exposure, eventually staining brown. Taste is very hot and eventually numbing. Odor not distinctive. Gills seem to be variable in crowdedness.