This relatively small species shows cap colours ranging from pure yellow to allmost black - allways with a greenish tinge. The spores are quite small (<10µ). It has a faint smell like that of C. meinhardii, C. atrovirens and C. ionochlorus (peppery/malt like).

It forms mycorrhiza exclusively with beech (Fagus). The combination of almost negative reactions with bases (on both flesh and surfaces) and yellow flesh seperates it from closely related species.

C. splendens has larger spores and more intense yellow colours. C. fulvocitrinus has brown gills and brown context of stipe. C. xanthochlorus has the same greenish yellow colous, but has much larger spores.