This species has a very broad ecological range, and has a very variable appearance as well. It is characterized by violaceous tinged gills, a very fibrillose cap and small spores.

A number of varieties have been described (i. e. var. acyaneus and var. olivaceous

It may remind of C. caesiogriseus, whichoften has larger and amygdaloid spores. It may also remind of C. camptoros, which has larger citrinoid spores and smooth cap. C. dionysae has a floury small/taste.