The volva occurs at the base of the stipe, and it is formed from the remnants of a universal veil which may cover the entire fruit-body when young. When the universal veil breaks as the fruit-body expands with maturity, the universal veil can also leave patches of tissue or scales on the pileus surface which are obviously different in texture from the underlying surface. Such patches or scales on the pileus surface can suggest the presence of a volva.

To observe the presence or absence of a volva it is necessary to look carefully at the base of the stipe. Make sure that the stipe base is removed intact from the soil when picking the fruit-body (and the stipe does not break off above the base). A cross section of the stipe base may help in interpreting the structure of the volva.

Choose this state if: there is no volva at the base of the stipe, although the stipe base may be quite bulbous.