Also known as Pholiota alnicola, this species is typically associated with alder and occurs gregariously in troops. The decaying wood or woody debris may be buried as in this case. The caps are up to 5 inches, but usually smaller and are at first yellow to golden in color, becoming more orange with time. Caps are convex becoming plane with an umbo. The gills are fairly close and pale at first, becoming ochre or brownish with age. Stipes are often tall, reaching up to 6 inches in height. At first pale yellow, they soon become brown ard are fibrillose to floccose. There is a quickly disappearing membranous veil. The flesh is yellowish in the caps and soon brown in the stipe. The odor may be mild to faintly sweet, with a bland taste. The spores are brown.