Typically clustered and growing on downed hardwood or conifer, this saprobe is encountered in late fall to winter with wide distribution. The caps are pinkish purple, fading to brownish purple, scaly especially over the center and becoming smooth towards the inrolled margins. Caps can reach 8cm with cylindrical concolorous stalks from 2-8cm. The notched gills are yellow, turning rusty orangish with production of rusty spores. Though eye-catching they are intensely bitter in taste.