One of several species similar in appearance, it is a small white funnel-shaped toadstool widely found in lawns, meadows and other grassy areas in Europe and North America.

It is one of a number of similar poisonous species, which can be confused with the edible fairy ring champignon (Marasmius oreades)[1] or miller (Clitopilus prunulus), such as the ivory funnel (Clitocybe dealbata) .

[2] When young and imbued with moisture, as with a small group of related Clitocybes such as C. phyllophila, the cap has a distinctive brownish translucent aspect with a "frosting" of white (which however is not superficial, but part of the flesh).

[5][6] The false champignon is found in grassy habitats in summer and autumn in Europe and North America, where it can often form fairy rings; individual mushrooms nestled in the grass which often grows richer and greener where they occur.

[8] The main toxin in Clitocybe rivulosa is muscarine, and thus the symptoms are somewhat like that of nerve agent exposure, namely, greatly increased salivation, perspiration (sweating), and lacrimation (tear production) within 15–30 minutes of ingestion.