Lyophyllum: white spores; pileus which is various shades of dark brown, grey-brown, or tan; stipe typically fibrous. Stature: Clitocyboid, Naucorioid, Tricholomatoid.

In the field, species of Lyophyllum fall into two group: 1) the L. decastes-L. multiceps group which grow in caespitose clusters of about 4-10 fruiting bodies and are typically Clitocyboid or Tricholomatoid and 2) the L. semitale group which grow singly and stain black in some part of the fruiting body.

The black staining reaction, particularly with Naucorioid fruiting bodies and the unsual caespitose habit which is not found by any other genera of white spored mushrooms are unique for Lyophyllum.