Catathelasma ventricosa (Pk.) Singer Cap 7-20cm across, convex to broadly convex; dingy white to brownish or grayish; dry, smooth, and breaking up into patches with age. Gills decurrent, close to nearly distant, narrow to broad; whitish. Stem 50-150 x 26-60mm, stout but narrowing to a point and deep in soil; whitish to yellowish brown; dry. Veil partial double veil leaving flaring double ring; top layer hairy, bottom layer membranous and persistent. Flesh very thick, hard; white. Taste mildly unpleasant. Spores ellipsoid, smooth, amyloid, 9-12 x 4-5.5ì. Deposit white. Habitat scattered or in groups under conifers, especially spruce. Frequent. Found in northern North America south to Colorado, and in mountainous areas of northern California. Season August-October. Edible-good.