Fiery Fungi: ID Please

[domhinch]

Please could someone identify these fine specimens. I found them in the south of Wales during the summer. They were growing, fairly spaced out, in a wood on a dead tree (not sure what though). They were very dry, quite brittle and had what looked like concentric rings on the inside/underside. They looked surprisingly like charcoal and burned very hot for quite a while, with little flame when a spark was put to it.

I assume them to be some kind of tinder fungus but what type? Any help would be much appreciated in identifying these cool fungi!

Thanks

Dom

[flaxton]

Welcome to WAB dom.
They are Daldinia concentrica.(Alfred's Cake, cramp balls)

Mal

[fairplay]

Somehow, with your use of the words 'concentric rings' - I think you already knew.

Welcome.

Neil.

[fairplay]

When the term 'Tinder Fungi' is used, it usually refers to the bracket fungi Fomes fomentarius, Phellinus igniarius and to a far lesser extent Piptoporus betulinus and Laetiporus sulphureus.

Daldinia concentrica is classed as a Pyrenomycete or Flask fungi as it is an Ascomycete having it's spores enclosed in an Ascus.

Confusion may arise as Pyrenomycete simply means 'fire fungi' (Pyromaniac), whist 'igniarius' comes from the latin ignifer meaning 'fiery' (ignite)

Neil.

EDIT. I have just noticed you have headed this thread 'Fiery Fungi' I think you knew all this before you posted the thread.

[domhinch]

Thanks for the speedy reply!
To be honest, I had no idea what it was when I found it. I had heard/read about fungi that burned well and these looked like they would. So I tested them and it worked!
I tried to give the most accurate description I could in order help you all to identify it as I had no idea.

Thank you both again!

p.s. I'm quite new to fungi identification as my interest in it only developed in the summer holidays whilst on camp in Wales. However, I am learning....