On Beech. 1 January 2009 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 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 
On Beech. 1 January 2009 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
17 March 2008 Buckinghamshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |