The species have a widespread distribution, but are specially prevalent in tropical areas.

[2] The fruit bodies of Lysurus fungi are characterized by having short, thick arms which are upright, and may separate slightly in age.

[3] The inner surfaces of the arms are covered with a slimy spore mass called gleba, which typically has a fetid smell to attract insects to assist in spore dispersal.

Viewed with a light microscope, Lysurus spores are narrowly ellipsoidal in shape, brownish in color, and have dimensions of 4–5 by 1.5–2 μm.

[3] The following species are recognised in the genus Lysurus:[4]