The only problem with capnoides is their resemblance to Hypholoma fasiscular, a potentially poisonous other cousin. Kuritake looks similar too, but is more distinguishable for the novice.
A very common mushroom, Hypholoma capnoides (also called Naematoloma capnoides) fruits in clusters on pine stumps and decaying pine wood. It is typically a fall or winter mushroom, but can be encountered in the spring as well.
"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."
Kuo, M. (2002, May). Hypholoma capnoides. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site:
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/hypholoma_capnoides.html