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Project Noah Nature School
Daldinia concentrica
Irregularly shaped fungus. Its surface was brown and powdery. When I pulled it off the wood, black liquid oozed out. The inside was wet and black with concentric, solid zones and felt similar to charcoal.
Habitat: Spotted on birch in a deciduous forest.
Fun facts:
#1 - The common name "cramp ball" refers to the old folk belief that carrying one around in your armpit would cure cramps!
#2 - It is also known in Britain as "King Alfred's cakes". King Alfred was fleeing a battle when he took refuge in an old woman's house. The old woman, not knowing he was the king, left Alfred in charge of watching some cakes in the oven. He didn't know how to cook, fell asleep, and the cakes burned. So, this fungus gained this common name since it resembles burnt cakes.
Spotted on Sep 19, 2018
Submitted on Sep 25, 2018
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