King Alfred's cake
Daldinia concentrica
A species of Daldinia. Also known as Carbon ball.
The Daldinia concentrica mushroom, commonly called King Alfred's cake, doesn't quite live up to its name. It's neither particularly palatable nor cake-like. Its English moniker actually stems from its likeness to the burnt cakes famously produced by the British king during his ill-fated baking endeavors. These fungi are notable for their ability to function as a slow-burning, steady charcoal substitute, despite emitting an unpleasant odor when ignited.
In This Article
Attributes of King Alfred's cake
Height
2 - 6 cm
Flesh
Dark brown to black if cut
Ring
Concentric; paler
Spore Print Color
Black
Odor
Mild, indistinct fungal aroma.
Body Color
BrownBlack
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic
Substrate
Dead Woods
You can find King Alfred's cake by these plants
Ashes, European ash
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland
Species Status
Common, widespread
Endangered Species
No
Scientific Classification of King Alfred's cake
Phylum
Sac fungi
Class
Sordariomycetes
Order
Xylariales
Family
Hypoxylaceae
Genus
Daldinia
Toxicity and Edibility of King Alfred's cake
Is King Alfred's cake Toxic?
Toxicity information is not available for this mushroom. Always consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
