The clustered shiny convex caps grow up to in diameter. They are very
hygrophanous; in a damp state they are shiny and greasy with a deep orange-brown colour towards the rim; often there is a disc of lighter (less sodden) flesh in the middle. In a dry state they are cinnamon-coloured. The
gills are initially light then brown and are sometimes somewhat decurrent. The
spore print is rusty brown. with a ring which separates the bare, smooth light cinnamon upper part from the darker brown shaggily scaly lower part. This type of stem is sometimes described as "booted".
Similar species It resembles the deadly poisonous
Galerina marginata. Although a typical
K. mutabilis is easily distinguished from a typical
G. marginata by the "booted" stipe which is shaggy below the ring, this character is not reliable and
G. marginata can also have scales. The main differences are: • While they are both hygrophanous,
K. mutabilis dries from the centre outwards (so having a lighter colour in the centre) and
G. marginata dries from the edge inwards. • the stem below the ring is scaly below the ring in
K. mutabilis, but normally fibrously silky in
G. marginata. •
K. mutabilis has a pleasant mushroom smell and mild taste, whereas
G. marginata tastes and smells mealy. Also similar are
K. lignicola,
K. marginellus,
Pholiota angustipes and
P. terrestris. ==Distribution and habitat==