Nolanea has been defined as a genus of small gray to brown pink-spored mushrooms which 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.