The texture of the stipe as viewed through a x5 hand lens. Some surface features are easily lost on handling, so when observing the stipe surface pick up the fruit-body by the base of the stipe, or the edge of the pileus. Hold the stipe up to the light to accentuate any hairs projecting in silhouette from the surface. The extreme base or apex of the stipe may have more pronounced surface features than the middle portion. Observe the middle portion of the stipe for this feature. Ridges or scales at the very base of the stipe are usually part of the Volva.

Choose this state if: the stipe surface has distinctly raised ridges which have irregular cross walls and anastomoses, forming compartments.

Sometimes there are fine lines on the stipe surface extending downwards from the lamellae attachment. Unless the lines are distinctly raised and anastomosing, do not choose this state.

Pleurotus is the only agaric to have a lacunose stipe.