To establish if spore ornamentation is present, spores must be examined at high magnification (x1000). To interpret the type of spore ornamentation, a number of spores should be examined. Ornamentation should be viewed on mature spores.

Spore ornamentation can be made more visible in certain mounting media, particularly Melzer's Reagent and Cotton Blue solution. Spore ornamentation may be destroyed in KOH solution.

At high magnification the depth of focus is very shallow, and it usually is not possible to have both the upper surface and margin of a spore in focus at the same time. Oil droplets in the inside of the spore can give the appearance of an ornamented surface, but careful focussing will show that the droplets are interior to the spore wall.

Choose this state if: the spore ornamentation is spinose, consisting of acute-tipped spines, ranging in size from short to several micrometres long. Spines are broader at the base than at the tip.

Other terms used to describe this state are spinulose, echinate, echinulate and aculeate.

If the ornamentation is long but with rounded tips, see warty.