Pileus: 5-25 cm broad, fan or oyster-shaped; Natural specimens range from white to gray or tan to dark-brown; margin inrolled when young, smooth and often somewhat lobed or wavy. Flesh white, firm, varies in thickness due to stipe arrangement.
 Lamellae: Gills are white to cream, descend stalk if present. If so, stipe off-center with lateral attachment to wood.
 Spores: The spores form a white to lilac-gray print on dark media. Spores 7.5-9 × 3.5-4.5 µm, smooth, elliptical, nonamyloid.
 Stipe: Often absent. When present it is short and thick.
 Taste: Mild
 Odor: Often has a mild scent of anise.