bitter poisonpie

The fruit body has a cap that is initially convex before flattening out in age, reaching a diameter of 4–16 centimetres (1+1⁄2–6+1⁄2 inches). The cap may have a shallow umbo. The cap surface is smooth, moist to sticky, and first with an inrolled margin then becoming uplifted. It is tannish, sometimes with pinkish grayish tints. The gills have an adnate attachment to the stipe and have a notch just before the point of attachment; the gill edges have tiny fringes or serrations. They are first whitish before turning pale brown in maturity. The spore print is pale brown. The stipe measures 2–13 cm (1–5 in) long and 1–3 cm (1–3 cm) thick; it is roughly equal in width except for a swollen base. The flesh is whitish, thick, and has a radish-like odor and taste. The spores are elliptical with a rough surface texture and measure 10–14 by 6–8 μm.

Similar species. It is similar to the more common H. crustuliniforme, a smaller relative that is also poisonous.

As of December 2022, the species has been found in 20 countries across Europe as well as in Asiatic Turkey and Lebanon. The fungus fruits on the ground in groups or fairy rings in deciduous and coniferous forests.