The species has a yellow-orange fruiting body in the shape of a club with a flat cap.

[8] The vertical side of the fruiting body normally has folds and wrinkles, but can be smooth.

[13] In North America, Clavariadelphus pallidoincarnatus (found in the West) and C. unicolor (in the East) are similar, as is C.

[7] Additionally, Macrotyphula fistulosa is tall and skinny, and Neolecta has a bright yellow head.

[18] One field guide says that the mushroom is one of the best to eat and has a sweet flavor that is especially appealing to some people.

[1] The mushroom contains clavaric acid, which has been shown to reduce the rate of tumor development when given to mice.