A small and slender species with olivaceous gills and olivaceous to brown, somewhat hygrophaneus cap. As for all species within section Scauri, C. scaurus reacts lilac with lugol or Tl4.

It is a common species of oligotrophic coniferous forests in scandinavia. A more robust variety with pronounced violaceous colours in in flesh and on gills, and distinct greenish veil remnants on the lower half of the stipe, is called C. scaurus var. herpeticus.