[1] The mushroom is readily identified by its irregularly shaped grey cap, fluted stem, and fuzzy undersurfaces.

It is usually found in Eastern North America and in Europe, near deciduous and coniferous trees in summer and autumn.

[6] It has an irregularly folded or wrinkled cap which may be shades of slatey grey to black in colour, and measure anywhere from 1 to 10 centimetres (1⁄2 to 4 inches), though usually between 2 and 5 cm (1 and 2 in).

They may be distinguished from the creamy-white coloured Helvella crispa by the latter's furry cap undersurface and inrolled margins when young.

[6] This species is common in Eastern North America and is also found in Europe,[8] Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary in Sikkim,[10] Japan,[11] and China.

[13] Two similar looking species occur in Western North America – Helvella vespertina is associated with conifers and H. dryophila is associated with oak.