Rounded bright yellow cap, powdery but also somewhat sticky. Pores yellow-duff, small, round, giving it a distinctive appearance. Named for 19th century clergyman/mycologist Moses Ashley Curtis. His grave is in nearby Hillsborough, NC.

Growing at the base of white oak and near red oak, maple, and distant pine. KOH orange on Stipe, inner context and cap. Cap, Stipe and context turning blue when bruised or cut. Context color changed tan after initially turning blue.