Mushroom Cap Surfaces
The surface texture of the pileus (mushroom cap) reveals vital information that aids in identification. When examining the pileus, describe the various colors and patterns it possesses. Do you notice any substances on the cap, such as remnants of the universal veil? Observe the moisture content. If dry is it waxy, smooth, shiny, dull, dusty. And if you detect moister, is it slimy, sticky, damp, oozing, etc. When touched, does the pileus bruise? The smell of the cap can quickly identify some species. However, avoid inhaling spores when smelling the cap.
The overall texture of the pileus varies considerably. Below you'll find the majority of the characteristics associated with mushroom caps.
Type of Cap Surfaces
Smooth
No defining features found on the surface.
Uneven
A bumpy surface.
Rugose
A wrinkled or rough surface.
Rugulose
A slightly wrinkled surface.
Rivulose
A thinly wrinkled surface of branching wavy or crooked lines.
Scrobiculate
A pitted or furrowed surface.
Warty
Remnants of the universal veil remain on the surface in small patches.
Virgate
A streaked surface.
Hygrophanous
A surface that is transparent when wet and opaque when dry.
Sericeous
A silky surface.
Fibrillose
A surface covered in thread-like filaments.
Squamose
A surface covered with scales.
Squarrose
A ragged surface covered with small scales.
Pruinose
A surface covered with a white powdery frostlike substance.
Pulverulent
A surface covered with fine dust or powder.
Granulose
A surface covered in salt-like granulates.
Furfuraceous
A surface covered in flaky bran-like particles; dandruff-like.
Zonate
A surface containing zones or bands that are distinguished by texture or color.
Areolate
A cracked surface resembling dried-mud or paint.
Rimose
A surface covered in cracks and crevices.
Laccate
A waxy or lacquered surface texture.
Viscid
A sticky glue-like surface texture.
Glutinous
A slimy surface.
Hairy Surface Types
To limit the confusion, I've isolated the hairy surface types below.
Glabrous
a bald surface.
Velvety
A surface covered with very fine and soft hairs.
Pubescent
A surface cover with fuzz or fine hairs.
Canescent
A surface covered in dense white or gray down-like hairs. Giving a frosted appearance.
Floccose
A surface covered in Wooly or cotton-like hairs.
Tomentose
A surface covered densely with matted hairs.
Hispid
A surface covered with straight bristle-like hairs.
Hirsute
A surface covered with slightly stiff and shaggy hairs.
Villose
A surface covered with long soft hairs.
Strigose
A surface covered with long bristle-like hairs.
- DK
