The size of this mushroom can range from 3 to 15 cm in diameter. It has a hollow stipe. Spore powder is white. This colorful mushroom is very common in Latvia. It grows abundantly on stumps and dead roots of pine and spruce from August to November. Edible, but of low quality, it has to be boiled first. It would be better to peel the red scales off its cap since they are slightly poisonous. It is good for salting together with another mushrooms, for example, Russula spp..

Vārāma, jānokasa sarkanās zvīņas no cepurītes, jo tās ir viegli indīgas; parocīga sālīšanai kopā ar bērzlapēm -- tām, kuras jāvāra 10-15 minūtes. Sēne ar mazu barības vērtību.