Tubulicrinis species (as well as Dextrinocystis spp., Litschauerella spp., and Tubulicium spp.) possess distinct sterile structures called lyocystidia composed of very thick walls and a thin central lumen that may open abruptly at the apex to form a thin-walled head. Lyocystidia can by bi- or multi-rooted and are sometimes heavily encrusted or covered in anemone-like hyphae (Bernicchia and Gorjón 2010, Hjortstam et al. 1973). Bizarre!

There are about 46 species in the genus Tubulicrinis, with Tubulicrinis glebulosus serving as the type species (He et al. 2020). Like far too many crusts out there, Tubulicrinis is sadly understudied beyond the basic taxonomic work that brought the group's species concepts into existence in the first place. 

Regarding Tubulicrinis accedens, the specific epithet comes from the Latin word accedere meaning "to approach". This fungus was first described as a subspecies, Peniophora glebulosa subsp. accedens, which suggests that accedens refers to an appearance "approaching" that of Peniophora glebulosa (≡ Tubulicrinis glebulosus). Without that context, though, the name doesn't really say much, and even after knowing it, who cares? Let's revise history and say that "accedens" is a descriptor for how this fungus approaches our heart, filling us with love and gratitude for how great crusts are.

There are a number of Tubulicrinis species that are differentiated by small differences in basidospore size, lyocystidium neck constriction and encrustation, and degree of amyloidy of the basidia and lyocystidia. Most species do not have sequence data. It would not surprise me if this specimen and others from North America represent undescribed species.  

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