Click image to zoom
Daldinia Concentrica - King Alfred's Cakes Fungus
King Alfred's Cakes (Daldinia concentrica), also known as cramp balls or coal fungus, is an ancient firelighting fungus of the Hypoxylaceae family. This fungus looks like a hard, roundish lump of coal stuck to dead and decaying wood. The fruit of this fungus is hemispherical, with a hard, friable, shiny black fruiting body 2 to 7 centimeters wide. Daldinia concentrica is a useful tinder for starting fires. It is best when it is completely dry and black, and can be lit with flint and steel. It burns slowly, like charcoal, and produces a strong smoke, used in cooking at a campfire. In traditional African medicine, Daldinia concentrica is used to treat many diseases. In some regions of Ivory Coast, it is also used as a contraceptive agent. King Alfred's Cakes (Daldinia concentrica) fungus is on a dead tree in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on October 17, 2024. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)
Photo Details
| Photo ID | #11678390 |
|---|---|
| Date Taken | |
| Location | N/A |
| Photographer | Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto |
| Category | Human Interest |
| Copyright | © 2025 NurPhoto - Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto |
Related Keywords
2025 NurPhoto. All rights reserved.
This image is the property of NurPhoto and is protected under international copyright laws.
Similar Photos
View All
