This feature relates to the presence of few to many branches (or protuberances) on the terminal elements of the pileipellis, irrespective of the overall shape which is covered by the feature Pileipellis terminal elements (shape).

See also Pileus hyphae (branching) and Pileipellis hyphae (pigment).

Choose this state if: there are few to many short (nodules) or long branches present on terminal elements of the pileipellis. The protuberances may occur only on the apical portion (described as digitate when branches are long).

Branches can be quite irregular or secondarily branched (antler-like, dendrophysoid or having a Rameales-structure). Terminal elements with numerous short to long apical protuberances are called broom cell (celles or cystides en brosse). Those with small apical nodules are described as Rotalis-type broom cells and those with digitate branches are called Siccus-type broom cells. Other terms for this state are verrucose, spinulose and echinate (with acute-tipped protuberances).

The term 'acanthocyst' is applied particularly in Mycena to thin-walled nodulose elements, which can have a mixture of short and long branches on the body of the element.