The diameter of its cap can reach up to 15 cm. Spore powder is olive-brown. It has very closely spaced black scales on its stalk, which are one of the main features of this mushroom. It grows in mixed forests from June to October. It is relatively rare in Latvia. Edible and tasty when fried, pickled and dried.

Sastopama samērā reti, līdzīga parastajai bērzubeka, bet tumšāka, vietām ar zilganmelnu metālisku spīdumu uz cepurītes virsmas. Kātiņš ir klāts ar tumšākām un ciešākām zvīņām. Cepama bez iepriekšējas novārīšanas, marinējama, kaltējama, sālāma vai skābējama.