The Earthfan grows in rosette-like clusters on soil, sometimes growing up grasses and ferns etc., to form a series of overlapping or imbricate shelf-like growths.  The fans are brown with a paler edge when they are growing, covered in radial fibres; the underside is grey-brown with scattered warts.   The spores are brown, angular and warty.

Photograph in habitat and detail of a a fan; note habitat, substrate and associated tree species.

On poor acidic soils usually under conifers but occasionally oak or other deciduous species. 

July to November.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.