In 1907 Jean Louis Émile Boudier transferred the species to his new genus Trichoglossum, of which it is the type.

Initial molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, indicates that Trichoglossum hirsutum sensu lato comprises at least three separate taxa in Europe and North America, though these may not be morphologically distinguishable.

[3] The epithet hirsutum (Latin: 'hairy') refers to the fine hairs (setae) that cover the ascocarp.

[4] Superficially similar species of Geoglossum lack setae and are not finely hirsute under a hand lens.

[4] In Europe the short-spored earthtongue is typical of waxcap grasslands, a declining habitat due to changing agricultural practices.