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: there are small to large scales on the pileus surface. Scales may be membranous or composed of aggregates of fibres. Scales may be rounded or squarish, or quite pointed, and they may be completely flat against the surface, or partially raised up. If the scales are pyramidal or conical, see with pyramidal warts. Other terms for this state are squamose, squamulose, appressed squamulose, recurved squamulose or squarrose.