It is widely distributed and has been recorded in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand,[2] the UK and Germany.

It has a broadly convex cap covered in small dry reddish-brown scales, a stout yellow stem beneath reddish brown, wine-red to purple vertical fibres, and a thick rusty orange spore print.

[citation needed] The fruitbodies can stain greenish, blue and purple when damaged, and the species is psychoactive.

A chemical analysis carried out by Jochen Gartz in 1993 found that this species contains 0.34% psilocybin, 0.29% psilocin and 0.05% baeocystin.

The cap ranges from 1.5 to 6 cm across, is convex to obtuse, and is reddish brown with a dry scaly surface which is sometimes cracked in age.