Mycena brunneospinosa  is apparently a native Hawaiian species belonging in sect.
Sacchariferae .  It is unique in forming a universal veil of tall, purplish brown spines
composed of chains of thin-walled, globose, spinose cells, superficially reminiscent of
the universal veil formed by M. spinosissima  illustrated with the Alien Wet Forest
taxa.  In wet weather, the universal veil washes off and the basidiomata are
indistinguishable from many other species in sect. Sacchariferae .  As with other species
in the section, these detersile UV elements are capable of germinating directly into
dikaryotic hyphae wherein they act as asexual propagules.  For an account of the
intricate morphological and ecological adaptations of these unusual Mycena  species
see Biblio. Mycol. 159: 1-89, 1995.