Coal Fungus

King Alfreds Cakes, Coal Fungus, Cramp Balls (Daldinia concentrica), a fungi known by many names. This fungi may not be edible, or even pretty, looking like a black boil, but it still can be useful.  These hard purpley black fungi can be found on most decaying wood, although they favour fallen Ash wood and Elder trees in my experience. When young they appear in a Purpley brown form, becoming black with age. They can grow from a couple of centimeters to about 7 or 8 centimeters and have a hard shell like exterior. As the Latin name implies, when cut through the fungi shows concentric circles and has the appearance of charcoal which is quite soft and powdery. Collected when they are old and completely dry the black variety make for excellent tinder and will take and hold a spark easily, they can also be used to carry an ember from one fire to start another. So, although inedible this fungi makes for a valuable bush-craft resource.