The size of this fungus can range from 6 to 30 cm in diameter. Spore powder is gray-brown. It has spines under its cap. It grows mostly on moss and lichens in sandy pine forests from late August to November. The large brown scales on the cap make this fungus look like a hawk's wing, indeed! It is rather rare in Latvia. Inedible.

Adatiņsēne, dažos gadījumos ir ēdama, citos - ne, jo rūgta. Aug priežu mežos zem jaunām priedītēm.