Hello Folks! Fungi come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours. Whilst some are edible, others are poisonous and best avoided. They can be found almost everywhere and are often easily overlooked. Many can be seen in woodland and meadow, especially at this time of year.Each Monday for 12 weeks I will be posting a little teaser for you. Without looking in books or on the internet (i.e - no cheating), see if you can identify the UK fungus. On Wednesday, so as long as no-one has guessed it, I will post one clue. On Friday I will post the answer along with some additional information for your interest.MYSTERY FUNGI QUIZ #6Clue: A cake fit for Wessex Royalty.
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Cramp balls (Daldinia concentria). First a bit about the clues: Clue: A cake fit for Wessex Royalty. Cramp balls are also known as King Alfred’s cake. Alfred the Great was King of Wessex from 871 to 899 AD. According to legend Alfred once hid in a homestead during a battle and during his stay was put in charge of removing cakes from the oven once they were cooked. Unfortunately he fell asleep and the cakes ended up burnt, Daldinia concentria are said to resemble these overcooked cakes. The second clue: Might make for an uncomfortable game of tennis. Cramps are undoubtedly uncomfortable and trying to play tennis, a game that involves a ball, would not be pleasant.
Belonging to the Xylariaceae family, the fruiting body of this fungus is ball-shaped, shiny and black and not dissimilar to a lump of coal in appearance. The actual flesh of this fungus is purple in colour and is made up of layers, each one representing a reproduction season. Many insects make their home in this fungus. It also provides a food source for the caterpillar of the Concealer moth (Harpella forficella). Cramp balls are best found or dead and decaying trees, especially Ash.
A picture of Cramp balls fungus can be seen here.
Did you know that: this fungus is a great form of tinder for fire-lighting and once lit can be quite difficult to distinguish.
Keep an eye out for next weeks fun(gi) quiz!
Take care,
Claire
Hey TJ does that mean we may have got it right ?
MrsT,is King Alfred's Cakes a local name as it is the only name I have heard up here in Yorkshire,? never heard Cramp Balls but the photo looks the same. I think in the N.Y.Moors area it is called Charcoal ????? something maybe from when charcoal was used in local iron smelting.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
It could well be, I have only ever heard of them as Cramp balls.
Sounds painful, but at least I have learned something today.
Lol! Never heard of them as Cramp balls either! Well done TJ and Seaman!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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It was only my initial ramblings that I can take credit for, Marjus. It was Seaman who knew what they were. I've seen them but didn't know what they were called. I think I like the name King Alfred's Cakes better than Cramp Balls which sounds very painful.
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Tony
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Well done lads, I agree that the name should stay as King Alfred's Cakes LOL !
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Regards, Hazel