Diagnostic features of this lovely small earth star include a brown, velutinous
outer surface of the exoperidium, a sessile endoperidium, and a dark ring surrounding
the pubescent, non sulcate peristome.  Although superficially similar to Geastrum
saccatum  (Fr.) Fisch., G. velutinum  differs in the well-developed, dark brown,
velutinous ornamentation covering the external surface.