A hygrophanous brown Cortinarius associated with Myrtaceae (tea‑tree) forest, showing striking differences between dry and wet conditions. Likely an undescribed member of the brown Phlegmacium‑like complex in New Zealand.

Pileus: 25-60 mm diam., convex to broadly convex, sometimes slightly umbonate. Dry conditions: surface matt, felted‑tomentose, pale to mid‑brown, sometimes cracking or patchy; margin even. Wet conditions: surface smooth, darker brown, viscid, more saturated in colour; hygrophanous. Flesh pale brown; no distinct odour noted.
Lamellae: Adnate to adnexed, moderately spaced, pale brown to mid‑brown, becoming slightly darker with age. Edges even.
Stipe: 30-80 x 5-12 mm, cylindrical or slightly clavate, pale brown‑ochraceous, fibrous, sometimes with a subtly swollen base. Surface dry to slightly moist; no distinct veil remnants observed. Context pale brown.
Veil / Cortina: Cortina not observed in the field images; if present, likely sparse and fugacious.
Odour/taste: Nil