Added on 30/12/2011Fungi

Daldinia concentrica


Common Name(s): King Alfreds Cakes, Cramp Balls


The brackets produced by this fungus remain on the tree throughout the year. They increase in size and stop growing once mature. Spores are released through small openings on its surface.
The fruiting bodies are black, normally about 40-70mm in diameter and have a hard charcoal like consistency which will crumble under pressure. A cross section of a bracket reveals a series of concentric rings (hence its name 'concentrica').
The fungus acquired its common name of 'King Alfreds Cakes' due to, apparently, their resemblance to the cakes which the king burned!
This fungus is very common and widespread in Britain. It is frequently seen growing on dead branches or areas of dead wood, mainly on Ash and is a good indicator of an area of dead wood.



The above picture shows the bodies growing on an area of dead Ash stem at a height of just 1-2 meters. Picture by Terry Marsh



Cross section showing ring layers (Chris Skellern).




Please Note: Many Fungi are toxic and individual reactions to them vary widely. Do not touch or eat fungi unless you have accurately identified them. The AIE can not accept any legal responsibility or liability for errors in identification or for individual reactions to the consumption of fungi.