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Cramp Ball Fungus

Daldinia concentrica

Description:

Also known as Tinder Fungus, Coal Fungus, Carbon Balls, and King Alfred's Cakes. Looks like it has been burnt to a crisp. Roughly the same size as an apple, and colour a dark, bluish-grey, although from a distance it looks black. One large specimen, although a couple of much smaller and decayed specimens nearby. Even though there is an indentation on top, there is no evidence of any spore hole. Apparently, when cut open, the inside reveals a series of concentric rings (hence the name), which represent seasons of growth. This species seems to like a damp environment.

Habitat:

Found on a rotting tree trunk (perhaps Toona ciliata) in moist and well-shaded area of subtropical rainforest on the Westcliff Track, Bunya Mountains National Park, southeast Queensland. Here's some park info - http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/bunya-...

Notes:

Found a local mycology reference of this species recorded in the Bunya Mountains - http://qldfungi.org.au/wp-content/upload... >>> Many thanks to fellow PN member Jae, for the ID of this spotting.

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3 Comments

Jae
Jae 9 years ago

No worries, Neil. Hope this is the right ID, though indeed it does look-a-like :)

Neil Ross
Neil Ross 9 years ago

Well done, Jae!! This looks pretty spot-on to me, so I'll run with it. Thanks very much for your efforts :-)

Jae
Jae 9 years ago

Maybe it's a cramp ball fungus (Daldinia concentrica) http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Daldinia+c...

Neil Ross
Spotted by
Neil Ross

Queensland, Australia

Spotted on Oct 17, 2014
Submitted on Oct 23, 2014

Related Spottings

King Alfred's Cake Daldinia Fungi Daldinia Hongo

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