This delicate mushroom is a denizen of the ashes of woodland conifer fires. It appears for a couple of years in the charcoal remains of firepits and montane forest fires, growing usually gregariously or in groups. It fragments easily when harvested, and stems are prone to break while being picked. It usually fruits in the spring but may appear in the late fall or winter also. The hygrophanous caps range from 1.5-4 cm and are brownish, but fade to lighter brown, buff or whitish in age. Conical at first, they become convex and later flat. Gills are crowded and adnexed, brown to gray-brown, but become dark purplish brown as the spores mature. They drop purplish brown to purplish black spores. The stipes are white and scaly towards the apex. The flesh is thin, fragile and whitish. There is no distinct odor. The taste is mild. Though likely non-toxic, they are not recommended for eating.