They are wood rotting saprobes with pink spore prints and gills that are free from the stem.

[1] Characteristics of the Pluteus genus are:[2][3] Pluteus is separated from Volvariella due to the lack of a volva, and from Entoloma by growing on wood and by microscopic features (Entolomas have angular spores).

The name Pluteus was established in 1837 by the founding mycologist Elias Magnus Fries at a time when agaric mushrooms were first being assigned to different genera.

[5] The Latin word "pluteus" has various meanings related to military protective structures and its signification here may be that of a shield (the shape of the cap).

[6] [7] [8] Some of these mushrooms are edible including P. petasatus and P. cervinus, though most people rate their taste and consistency as average at best.