It grows parasitically or saprotrophically, most often on beech species, fruiting in bunches between August and November.

Several compounds produced by this mushroom, for example methyl gallate, are of interest for their medicinal properties.

[5] These species are morphologically very similar, however identifications can be made based on spore size or substrate the fungus is growing on.

[7] P. adiposa produces many bioactive compounds that are of interest for potential medicinal properties.

These include methyl gallate,[8] Angiotensin 1-converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide,[9] and various polysaccharides with antitumor and antioxidant properties.

[10][11][12][13] The purported health benefits of this fungus has generated interest in improving the yields of commercially cultivated P.

Antioxidants isolated from natural sources are desired due to their generally low cytotoxicity.

Methyl Gallate was shown to preferentially scavenge superoxide (O2-) ions, which have been hypothesized to be involved in HIV-LTR activation.