It is found in North America; the Eurasian populations formerly known by the same scientific name are nowadays known as A. moelleri, while the present species may also be referred to as A. praeclaresquamosus.

Covered with fine, appressed greyish-brown scales and concentrated at the disc, the cap is thick, slowly becoming vinaceous when injured; the odor smells of phenol.

thick and more or less equal, with an enlarged base (unlike typically ending in a small bulb like Agaricus pocillator).

Also, it is fairly smooth, white and bruising yellow, especially at the base, with a persistent ring, and the partial veil when still covering the gills developing brownish to yellowish droplets.

The veil of the stipe is membranous, thick, white, and forms a persistent ring with a smooth upper and lower surface.