Fruit bodies are characterized by very soft dark grey to black pyramidal and overlapping scales on the cap surface.

The flesh is thick and initially white, but will stain pink and then slate grey and black after exposure to the air.

The cap of Strobilomyces dryophilus is coloured a dull grey-pink to pinkish-tan and produces spores with a complete mesh.

[1] Strobilomyces strobilaceus is found solitary or in groups in deciduous as well as coniferous forests in low mountain ranges and alpine areas of Europe, North America and Asia (Iran[6] and Taiwan[7]).

[8] On February 27, 2014, the postal administration of Switzerland issued a 50-centime definitive postage stamp depicting Strobilomyces strobilaceus.