Mushroom starts as a white ball with a prominent pointed beak at the top. Outer surface splits and peels back to form 4-8 arms that look something like a starfish. An inner white saucer holds the innermost white ball. The ball has a pointed beak at the top which opens to release the spores. Occurs singly or in groups in the summer and fall.

Occasional in Wildwood, in the forested areas.

The three layers, which give the species its name, are a good identification clue, although the inner sauser is not always present.