The caps are large, intially conical and then flattening, with an incurved edge.  The cap is covered in small conical brown scales over a cream ground, creating a spiny appearance especially in younger specimens.   The ring is large and pendulous.  The gills are crowded, white and forked. Spore print is white.

Other Echinoderma

Photograph from top down, side and underneath to show gills; note habitat

Found in woodland, or occasionally on bark chips in parks, and gardens.

Autumn.

Most frequent in southern England but scarcer elsewhere in Britain.

Infrequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.