Nolanea has been defined as a genus of small gray to brown pink-spored mushrooms that are mostly saprotrophic and grow on the ground. The cap can be conical, convex or umbonate in shape, often with a silky top. The gills have adnexed to adnate attachment (they can also be a little decurrent) and the stalk is fragile and often hollow. The spores are angular and are flesh colored to pink. Nolaneas are well known for being difficult to identify. Little is known about the edibility of Nolaneas, and some are poisonous.