Rather primitive basidiomycetes with simple, slender or branched fruitbodies. The genus is closely allied to Clavaria , but has tougher, less brittle, solid fruitbodies and is defined microscopically by the presence of clamp-connections in the tramal tissues. There is usually a poorly defined stalk, above which is the fertile portion. The hymenium is unprotected, and increase of surface area is accomplished by branching of the whole fruitbody rather than by the development of gills, tubes or spines as seen in most of the larger basidiomycetes. Species are typically white, cream or yellow to ochre or grey-brown.
Species occur in grassland, including lawns, or on rich, often alluvial, soils in woodlands.
This is one of the 'clavarioid' genera used in assessment of ' waxcap grasslands '. Clavulinopsis helvola Much the commonest of the yellow grassland species, though it also occurs in woodland. It is not, however, easily distinguished from related species in the field, and requires microscopic confirmation. Its coarsely spiny spores are diagnostic. Photographed specimen from Glen Finart, Argyllshire, 1987.