[3] Differing opinions regarding the organization of Cortinarius have led to the names Phlegmacium infractum (Wünsche) andPholiota infracta (Kummer).

They are adnate and deeply emarginate (notched), especially when mature, up to 7 mm (0.28 in) broad, somewhat wrinkled on the surface and with the edge entire or slightly undulatingly denticulate.

For a long time the stem is solid, then sometimes hollow, firm, hard, silkily fibrillose, dirty whitish with olive tinge but faintly greenish-blue, particularly at the apex, and sometimes even with a blue tint or bluish spots on the bulb.

[7] Cortinarius immixtus somewhat resembles C. infractus, but has brighter-colored young gills (ranging from yellowish to olive to green), a mild taste, and larger spores.

[6] The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the fruit bodies were shown to contain 36 components, predominantly musk ambrette, in a ratio of 62.3%.

Both compounds show the ability to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in vitro, and possess a higher selectivity[clarification needed] than galanthamine, a drug used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.