A very common forest terrestrial species in the PNW is this smooth-stalked member of the Agaricaceae family. Caps are usually 1-2 inches but may even be a bit larger. The caps are initially egg-shaped and then convex before expanding to plane, with a low dark umbo that is dark reddish to almost blackish. The colors grade to pinkish, orange or coral past the disc, and then fade away to white towards the perimeter. There is strong tendency of this species to split radially as it ages. The gills are white, close and free from the stipe. There is a white ring that is persistent, wide, flaring and collar-like. Stalks may reach nearly 4 inches. They are enlarged at the base, cylindrical, dry, smooth and narrowest at the apex. There is no distinct odor. No small Lepiota should ever be consumed as some are quite toxic. Genetic work has shown that this mushroom is part of a complex of ten or more lookalike species that cannot reliably be told apart by inspection.