[1] Although the hyphae of the fungus are typically colourless (hyaline), the presence of these dark diffusible pigments has resulted in this species being considered one of the dematiaceous (aka filamentous, darkly-pigmented) fungi.

[8] Gams and McGinnis described P. obovatum as having a flat, smooth colony texture with hyphal strands that radiate outwards described as floccose (fluffy or cottony).

[1][2][6][9] The capacity of Phialemonium obovatum to grow at and above human body temperature is a key pathogenicity factor of this species that distinguishes it from many other dematiaceous molds.

[1][2][6][9] In case studies involving infections following severe burns, the hyphae of P. obovatum have the ability to invade into blood vessels and tissues.

[6] Accordingly, P. obovatum and other dematiaceous fungi have been increasingly reported in allogenic transplant recipients possibly as a consequence of chemotherapeutic immune suppression primarily intended to reduce tissue rejection.

[10][11] Treatment of wines using wood chips inoculated with P. obovatum and other microfungi has been investigated as an accelerated, cost effective means of imparting oak flavours than traditional cask aging.