Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are corticioid (patch-forming) and are typically violet to purple.

[5] Initial molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, indicates that at least two species occur in the H.longisporum complex, one in Europe (together with its Tuberculina anamorph) and one in Africa and the Americas (also with its anamorph).

Microscopically the hyphae are easily visible, 5–8 μm diam., brownish-purple, and lack clamp connections.

Basidia are tubular, curved or crook-shaped, and auricularioid (laterally septate).

[1] Helicobasidium longisporum has been recorded from both temperate and tropical areas of Africa, America, Asia, Australia, and Europe.