Help with ID please -black circular lump on branch

green orchid · #1 (**permalink**) 19-03-2009, 11:44 PM

Hi, I came across this today and have no idea what it is. Any ideas?

Lancashire Lad · #2 (**permalink**) 19-03-2009, 11:55 PM

I'm pretty sure this is Daldinia concentrica, a fungus. (Common names are King Alfred's Cakes & Cramp Balls).

Regards
Mike.

tawnyman · #3 (**permalink**) 19-03-2009, 11:56 PM

Looks like King Alfred's Cakes (Daldinia concentrica). A strange, brittle fungus which apparently resembles the burnt cakes of King Alfred.
Julian

green orchid · #4 (**permalink**) 20-03-2009, 12:04 AM

Thanks

Shame it's a rubbish picture...
I thought maybe it was something manmade and almost gave it a good poking but thought better of it. It was on a fallen branch which I believe is it's natural setting (just did a quick search).
Thanks for the super quick help, much appreciated!
I will try to get a better picture next walkies.

Dutchess · #5 (**permalink**) 20-03-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tawnyman

Looks like King Alfred's Cakes (Daldinia concentrica). A strange, brittle fungus which apparently resembles the burnt cakes of King Alfred.
Julian

Well, WAB and the WAB folk always surprise me. I am not into fungi but I shall certainly look out for that one. (I thought it was a gall at first.)

(But - "apparently"? Are you trying to suggest that you have never even seen a burnt cake, Julian??? Lucky you! It's the dead spit I can tell you...

)

Cheers guys,

D.