Synonyms: Daldinia atra, Daldinia tuberosa, Daldinia vernicosa, Fungus fraxineus, Hemisphaeria concentrica, Hemisphaeria tuberosa, Hypoxylon concentricum, Hypoxylon tuberosum, Lycoperdon atrum, Lycoperdon fraxineum, Peripherostoma concentricum, Sphaeria concentrica, Sphaeria fraxinea, Sphaeria tuberosa, Sphaeria tunicata, Stromatosphaeria concentrica, Valsa tuberosa.
Common names: cramp balls, King Alfred's cakes, Carbon Balls.
Extract from Wikipedia article: The inedible fungus Daldinia concentrica is known by several common names, including King Alfred's cake, cramp balls, and coal fungus. As with other fungi the light spores are distributed globally and the fungi develop wherever conditions are suitable - it lives on dead and decaying wood, and is a common, widespread saprotroph.
Dutch: Kogelhoutskoolzwam, Estonian: Harilik kerasüsik, German: Kohlen-Kugelpilz, Polish: Warstwiak zwęglony, Swedish: Askskiktdyna, Ukrainian: Дальдінія концентрична.
Daldinia concentrica is a species of fungus in the family Xylariaceae, characterized by its distinctive concentric zones of coloration on the exterior of the fruiting body. In East and Central Texas, it is commonly found on decaying wood, particularly hardwoods such as oak and maple, often in wooded areas and along streams. The fungus produces stromata that are typically 5-15 cm in diameter and 2-5 cm tall, with a rough, zonate exterior and a white or cream-colored interior. It is a saprotrophic fungus, playing a role in decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients in ecosystems.
King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica in Wolf Pen Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 24, 2017
King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica on a log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 3, 2018
Dissected King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 3, 2018
Close up of King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 3, 2018
King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica on a rotting log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 3, 2018
King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 30, 2018
King Alfred's cake mushrooms Daldinia concentrica on Yaupon Loop Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 22, 2018
King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica on a rotten log in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, June 16, 2019
King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, June 16, 2019
Close up of King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, June 16, 2019
King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica on an oak log in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 8, 2019
Rosy corticioid fungus and king Alfred's cake (Daldinia concentrica) on an oak log in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 8, 2019
King Alfred's cake fungus (Daldinia concentrica) together with some rosy crust in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 8, 2019
Old king Alfred's cake fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on an oak log in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 8, 2019
King Alfred's cake fungus Daldinia concentrica on a log without bark in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, June 6, 2021
Cramp balls mushrooms (Daldinia concentrica) on a fallen tree branch in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, July 22, 2021
Cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on a log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 21, 2021
Cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on a rotting oak log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 21, 2021
Close-up of cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on a rotting oak log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 21, 2021
Details of cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on a rotting oak log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 21, 2021
Cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on a log of a hardwood tree on Copperfield Nature Trail. Austin, Texas, December 4, 2021
Black bodies of cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on Copperfield Nature Trail. Austin, Texas, December 4, 2021
Broken bodies of cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on Copperfield Nature Trail. Austin, Texas, December 4, 2021
Close-up of cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on Copperfield Nature Trail. Austin, Texas, December 4, 2021
Cramp balls fungus (Daldinia concentrica) on a log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 14, 2022The fungus Daldinia concentrica, also known as King Alfred's cake or cramp balls, was observed in East and Central Texas from 2017 to 2022. The majority of sightings were in College Station, specifically in Lick Creek Park (14 observations) and Wolf Pen Creek Park (1 observation). Additional observations were made in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site (6 observations) and Austin's Copperfield Nature Trail (4 observations). The fungus was typically found on rotting logs or tree branches, often of oak or hardwood trees. Observations were made throughout the year, with a concentration in the fall and winter months. The sightings provide a record of the fungus's presence and distribution in the region over a five-year period.
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