[9] The mushroom has a bell-shape to conical or convex cap that measures 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) in diameter and is orange-red-brown.

It can be more reliably distinguished by microscopic characteristics, as the hyphae in its cap cuticle have abundant clamp connections, unlike T. ustale.

[7] Tricholoma ustale is one of the three species most commonly implicated with mushroom poisoning in Japan[10] (Other two are Omphalotus japonicus and Entoloma rhodopolium).

[9] Chemical analysis of Japanese populations has revealed the toxic principles ustalic acid and several related compounds.

Force-fed to mice, ustalic acid causes them to sit still in a crouched position, hesitant to move, and induces tremors and abdominal contractions.

[9] Ustalic acid, an inhibitor of the sodium-potassium pump (Na+/K+-ATPase) found in the plasma membrane of all animal cells, has been chemically synthesized.