Described in 1979, the fruit bodies (mushrooms) grow in sand dunes from New Brunswick south to Cape Cod.

The flesh is white, but will stain vinaceous (the color of red wine) to purplish gray when it is cut or otherwise injured.

Its surface is dry, and is covered with hazel to vinaceous-buff scabers (tufts of tiny fibers, characteristic of the genus Leccinum) on a buff background color.

[5] Fruit bodies of Leccinum arenicola grow singly, scattered, or in groups on the ground in coastal sand dunes between July and September.

[5] Nearby plants typically found with the mushroom include American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata), beach heather (Hudsonia tomentosa) and sedges (Carex spp.).