Pileus: hemispherical becoming convex; 5 - 12 mm diameter;glutinous; lemon yellow, sulphur yellow; transluscently striate at the margin.

Stipe: cylindrical; 15- 30 × 1.5–3mm; glutinous; lemon yellow, sulphur yellow

Gills: adnexed; whitish to yellow; edge dry.

Flesh: yellow.

Spore print: white.

Spores: ellipsoid; 7.5 - 9 × 5 –5.5µm.

Notes: this Hygrocybe is difficult to identify in the field. It is very similar to H. chromolimoneus but more glutinous when fresh, has a dry gill edge and an unpleasant smell of burnt hair.