King Alfred's cake - Daldinia concentrica
- The Foraging Course Company
- Nov 5
- 2 min read
Inedible mushroom - beginner Season - all year
Common names King Alfred's cake/s, cramp balls, firelighter fungus, charcoal fungus, coal fungus, cannon balls
Scientific name meaning: Daldinia is derived from the name of Swiss botanist Agostino Concentrica has both Greek and Latin origins and is a reference to the concentric rings visible in the fruit body's flesh
Habitat and growth  King Alfred's cakes are saprotrophic and can be found on dead broadleaf would, particularly ash and sometimes beech. It can be found as single fruit bodies but more often in clusters. |
Fruit body  The fruit body is 2 to 10cm in diameter and 2-5cm in height. They are hard (except when very old when they crumble under pressure). They resemble molten lumps of iron. |
Flesh, smell, taste and spores  When cut or broken in to, concentric rings are easily visible inside the fruit body. There is no discernible smell or taste. The spore print is black. |
Possible lookalikes  There are several hard, black fungi that can be found on hardwood, such as the birch woodwart (Jackrogersella multiformis) pictured. However, these lack the concentric rings inside the fruit body. |
Use as a food This fungus is inedible Hazards None known
Use in herbal medicine and medicine In the past, King Alfred's cakes have been used to treat cramps, skin irritation, wounds, bacterial infections and coughs. There are various studies that indicate its potential as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory, with some compounds within it showing oestrogen-like activity, as well as potential anti-cancer activity
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner Other uses Used as an ember-carrying (flame carrying) fungus, tinder fungus and charcoal alternative Importance to other species Fed on by various invertebrates
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!
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