This feature deals with the presence of distinct hairs, warts, scales or patches on the surface of the pileus. This feature covers such structures when they are part of the pileus surface itself (innate) and when they are remnants of the universal veil (which entirely covers the fruit-body when young). A x5 hand lens should be used to determine the texture of the pileus surface. See also Pileus surface (cracks, pits or wrinkles) for splits, pits or wrinkles in the surface.

It can be difficult to tell if warts or scales on the pileus surface are from the universal veil or innate. A useful guide is that the universal veil often leaves remnants of similar colour and texture both on the pileus and at the base of the stipe, where they may form a Volva.

Choose this state if: the pileus surface ranges from pruinose (with very fine dots as if dusted with flour) to granular (with a covering of small rounded particles which are often readily detached). Other terms which fall under this state are scurfy, powdery, floury, farinaceous, mealy, pulverulent, furfuraceous or granulose.

Sometimes the pileus appears to have fine, shining particles on the surface (atomate). This is caused by the microscopic structure of the upper layer of the pileus (pileipellis), and not by any particles. Therefore, choose glabrous for this feature for material which appears atomate.