Daldinia concentrica	Prev	|	Index	|	Next

On Beech. 1 January 2009 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin

Species

Daldinia concentrica

Common Name

Cramp Balls, King Alfred's Cakes, Coal Fungus

Fruiting Body

Sub-spherical, smooth, initially reddish brown, then black, to about 8 cm across

Flesh

Very hard, with concentric black and grey zones

Smell

None

Taste

Unknown

Season

All year

Distribution

Very common

Habitat

On dead trunks and branches from deciduous trees, favouring Ash and Beech

Spore Print

Black

Microscopic Features

Ascospores ellipsoidal, smooth, 1 drop (12-16) x (6-9) µm²

Edibility

Inedible

Notes

Take care not to confuse with other Daldinia species, some of which grow on burnt wood

Additional Photographs

On Beech. 1 January 2009 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin

17 March 2008 Buckinghamshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin