Malassezia pachydermatis is a bottle-shaped,[2] non-lipid dependent lipophilic yeast in the genus Malassezia.[5] Colonies are cream or yellowish in colour, smooth to wrinkled and convex with a margin possessing a slightly lobed appearance.[5][8] Cells are ovoidal in shape and range in size from 3.0–6.5 x 2.5 μm.[5] Colonies grow via unipolar budding, and hyphae are rarely seen in culture.[8]
Optimal growth occurs at 30–37 °C (86–99 °F) with maturation occurring in five days.[9] It is the only species of Malassezia capable of growing without the presence of fatty acids.[5] Although it is not lipid-dependent, its growth is enhanced by the presence of lipids.[10] Its DNA is characterized by a 56% guanine-cytosine content.[11]