This feature deals with characteristics of the surface of the pileus itself, rather than any coverings such as hairs or scales, for which see Pileus surface (hairs or scales). Some of the features, such as cracking, are more pronounced on older fruit-bodies, but do not record this feature from over-mature specimens (where the pileus has started to shrivel or decay).

Choose this state if: the surface of the pileus is cracked in all directions like the dried out base of a clay pan, producing small blocks of the pileus surface interspersed with cracks. If the cracks are all radial, see rimose.