The most salient characteristic is the weak gills, which feel greasy to the touch, are flexible and do not break.

The cap is 4–18 cm (1+1⁄2–7 in) wide, convex at first and later flattened, and greenish to bright brown; they vary considerably in color.

[citation needed] It is distinguished from most other members of the genus by the fact that its gills do not split, but are soft and flexible.

The cap of the grey-green Russula grisea is more blue-grey but has violet or green hues with light cream gills; it also grows in mixed forests, particularly under beech, and more rarely in coniferous forests.

Russula olivacea also may have a variegated cap, but produces yellow spores.