Although rare, it is widespread in Europe, where it occurs in a range of habitats.

[3] It is a priority species in the UK, where it has been found in the sand dunes at Holkham National Nature Reserve.

[2] Fruit bodies are initially roughly spherical before the outer peridium splits to form a star with 6–11 "rays".

The inner spore sac is spherical or egg-shaped, and measures 0.5–1 cm (1⁄4–1⁄2 in).

The more-or-less round spores measure 5–5.5–4–4.5 μm and have warts on their surface.