Fungi for ID please

jcd123 · #1 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 11:46 AM

Hi All

I assume this is a fungi

can anyone educate me on this one please

Thanks

John

lauriek · #2 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 11:53 AM

Looks like a king alfred's cake, or cramp ball... If you cut one open you should find it looks like charcoal with concentric lines like a tree trunk.

You can use these (broken in half) to catch a spark to start a fire...

juliejam · #3 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 11:54 AM

Looks like a Cramp Ball also known as King Alfred Cakes..Daldinia concentrica..

Julie

jcd123 · #4 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 12:00 PM

Thanks for the IDs

I have seen a few of them around, but have only really got intrested in fungi over the last few weeks or so.

oh and thanks for the survival tip

John

Leif · #5 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 05:35 PM

King Alfred's Balls. Common.

Fungus Ken · #6 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 05:48 PM

Not sure what King Alfred's balls looked like

but he reputedly burnt his cakes, which is why this one is called King Alfred's Cakes, Daldinia concentrica.

Also known as Cramp Balls, because apparently people used to put them in their pockets to ward off cramp.

Ken

Leif · #7 (**permalink**) 29-10-2007, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fungus Ken

Not sure what King Alfred's balls looked like

but he reputedly burnt his cakes, which is why this one is called King Alfred's Cakes, Daldinia concentrica.

Also known as Cramp Balls, because apparently people used to put them in their pockets to ward off cramp.

Ken

Someone I once knew combined "King Alfred's Cakes" and "Cramp Balls" to humorous effect. It appeals to my puerile sense of humour anyway.