Cells at the end of the paraphyses are pear-shaped (piriform) or spherical, brownish, and measure 8–10 µm wide. The sticky material on the stipe is a gelatinous matrix made of a layer of paraphyses. Although black earth tongue species are generally not worth eating, Charles McIlvaine opined in his 1902 work "One Thousand American Fungi" that, if stewed, "G. glutinosum" is "delicious." "Geoglossum nigritum" is similar in appearance to "Glutinoglossum glutinosum", but lacks a slimy stipe. "Trichoglossum" species, such as the common "T. hirsutum", have a velvety surface texture acquired from thick-walled bristles called setae. Several other earth tongue species are roughly similar in external appearance to "G. glutinosum", and can be difficult to distinguish from that species without considering distribution and microscopic characteristics such as the size and shape of the asci, ascospores, and paraphyses. "Geoglossum peckianum" and "G. uliginosum" can develop a glutinous stipe; the former has spores measuring 90–120 by 6–7 µm with 14 septa, while the latter has spores that are 60–80 by 4.5–6 µm with 7 septa. The Australasian species "Glutinoglossum methvenii" is distinguished from "G. glutinosum" by its short, stout ascospores (mostly measuring 70–80 by 5–6 µm) and the presence of curved to hooked paraphyses tips. "G. australasicum", the most abundant "Glutinoglossum" species in Australasia, has asci measuring 205–270 by 17–20 µm, while those of "G. exiguum" are 165–260 by 13.5–17 µm. The latter species tends to have smaller fruitbodies, up to tall. "Glutinoglossum glutinosum" is a saprophytic species. Its fruitbodies grow scattered on soil in moss beds or in grassy areas. North American collections are typically associated with hardwoods, while European collections are often made in pasture and dune slacks.