King Alfred's Cake
ExploreFungi
King Alfred's Cake
Daldinia
King Alfred's Cake is a dark, round fungus that grows on old trees. It gets its name because it looks like a burnt cake!
Habitat: Old trees
Appearance
The King Alfred's Cake is a hard, almost spherical or hemispherical fungus, usually black or dark brown on the outside. Its surface is rough and often cracked, resembling a lump of burnt charcoal or volcanic rock. Inside, it reveals distinct concentric rings, like a cut onion.
KingdomFungiPhylumAscomycotaClassSordariomycetesOrderXylarialesFamilyHypoxylaceaeGenusDaldinia
Category
FungiRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people sometimes carried this fungus to keep embers glowing for fire!
Inside, it looks like a cut onion, with striking black and white rings!
It's named after a legendary king who once accidentally burned some cakes!
This tough fungus can even survive intense forest fires, sometimes looking even more charred!
Special abilities
Ability
Fire Starter
King Alfred's Cake has a hard, dry interior that can catch a spark, making it a natural fire-starting material.
Ability
Wood Recycler
King Alfred's Cake can break down dead hardwood trees, returning valuable nutrients to the forest soil.
Ability
Growth Rings
King Alfred's Cake has visible concentric rings inside, just like a tree, that show how much it has grown each year.
Ability
Winter Survivor
King Alfred's Cake can survive harsh winter conditions because of its tough, woody texture, lasting for years.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 2-6 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Cap Diameter
- 2-10 cm
- Growth Substrate
- wood
- Season
- Year-round
- Spore Color
- Dark brown
Ecological connections
depends on
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Grows on its dead wood
depends on
Pedunculate Oak
Quercus robur
Decomposes its fallen branches
eats
Fungus Beetle
Cis boleti
Larvae feed on the fungus
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Black Bread FungusCramp Ball
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is King Alfred's Cake?
2-6 cm
Is King Alfred's Cake edible?
inedible
How big is King Alfred's Cake?
2-10 cm
Where is King Alfred's Cake usually found?
Old trees
What does King Alfred's Cake grow on?
wood
When is King Alfred's Cake in season?
Year-round
What color are King Alfred's Cake spores?
Dark brown
Snap Map
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