Pseudomalachite was named "false malachite" because it is visually similar in appearance to malachite. The dark green waxy botryoidal specimens of pseudomalachite are indeed reminiscent of botryoidal malachite. Both minerals are formed in the oxidation zone of copper ore deposits and are in fact associated with each other. But the much rarer pseudomalachite lacks the characteristic light and dark green banding of malachite and is slightly harder and more dense. To verify an identification, pseudomalachite will not react to warm hydrochloric acid as will malachite.