Species details
Cramp balls
Daldinia concentrica
Inedible
Photo: Henk Monster; derivative by Wilhelm Zimmerling PAR · CC BY 3.0 · Photo source · License
.jpg){kind=link}
Description
A hard black to dark-brown, nearly spherical wood fungus showing characteristic concentric pale and dark bands in section.
Identification features
The fruitbody is about 2–10 cm wide, irregularly spherical and stalkless. It is rusty brown when young, later black; the interior is concentrically layered and becomes hard and brittle.
Identification checklist
The key feature is the many concentric rings visible in section. Older fruitbodies are black and coal-like externally.
How to separate similar species
Other Daldinia species can be very similar and reliable separation often requires microscopy.
Habitat
Grows on dead or dying hardwood trunks, especially ash and alder, and may be found throughout the year.
Fruiting period
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Similar species
- Daldinia species
- Hypoxylon species
- Dead man's fingers (Xylaria polymorpha)