In the field, G. atkinsoniana  is nearly indistinguishable from G. decipiens , 
differing noticeably only in forming a darker, entirely pruinose stipe compared to the 
pale, glabrous stipe of G. decipiens .  Micromorphologically, however, G. atkinsoniana
forms large basidiospores on two sterigmate basidia and conspicuous pleurocystidia,
whereas G. decipiens  forms small basidiospores on 4-sterigmate basidia and lacks
pleurocystidia. Galerina atkinsoniana  is one of the more common Galerina  species of
the northern hemisphere.