[2][3] Its cap is 3–8 cm wide, conical to umbonate, dry, silky, with whitish to pale lilac flesh.

[2][3] The gills are adnate or adnexed, grayish lilac becoming brown as the spores mature and lend their color.

[2] The stalk is 4–8 cm tall and .5–1.5 wide, larger at the base, sometimes with white veil tissue.

[3] Similar species include the essentially identical C. griseoviolaceus, as well as Inocybe lilacina.

[3] Its edibility is considered unknown by some guides but it is not recommended due to its similarity to deadly poisonous species.