Daldinia concentrica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Daldinia concentrica |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Subdivisio: |
Pezizomycotina
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| Class: |
Sordariomycetes
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| Subclass: |
Xylariomycetidae
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| Order: |
Xylariales
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| Family: |
Hypoxylaceae
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| Genus: |
Daldinia
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| Species: |
D. concentrica
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| Binomial name | |
| Daldinia concentrica (Bolton) Cesati & de Notaris
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| Daldinia concentrica | |
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glebal hymenium |
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no distinct cap |
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hymenium attachment is not applicable |
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lacks a stipe |
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spore print is black |
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ecology is saprotrophic |
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edibility: inedible |
Daldinia concentrica is a type of fungus with several cool nicknames. People call it King Alfred's cake, cramp balls, or coal fungus. This fungus is not safe to eat. Like many fungi, its tiny spores can travel all over the world. It grows best on dead or decaying wood, acting like a natural recycler (saprotroph).
This fungus usually looks like a half-sphere, about 2 to 7 centimeters wide. It has a hard, shiny black outside, which makes it look a lot like a piece of coal. That's why it's sometimes called "coal fungus." There's also a fun legend about its name, King Alfred's cake. The story says that King Alfred once hid in a country home during a war. He was supposed to watch some cakes baking but fell asleep, and they burned! Daldinia concentrica is said to look like one of those burnt cakes.
If you cut open the fungus, you'll see layers inside. These layers can be purple, brown, or silvery-black. Many people think these layers are like tree rings, showing how the fungus grew over different seasons. The fungus releases its spores from tiny, flask-shaped parts called perithecia. When these parts fill with fluid, they push out and release the spores.
D. concentrica contains some special natural chemicals. One is a purple pigment, and another is called concentricol. Many small insects and other tiny animals actually live inside this type of fungus.
What is King Alfred's Cake Used For?
This fungus can be very useful for starting fires! The black kind is usually lighter and works better than the brown kind. It needs to be completely dry. Once dry, it can catch a spark from a traditional flint and steel.
When lit, it burns slowly, much like a charcoal briquette. It also produces a strong-smelling smoke. To keep it burning, you often need to give it air, like by swinging it or blowing on it. You can break off small pieces to expose more glowing embers. These embers can then be used to light a tinder bundle and create an open flame.
How Does This Fungus Help Nature?
Daldinia concentrica plays an important role in nature. It helps speed up the process of breaking down fallen branches from ash trees. Ash trees drop branches quite often, so this fungus helps clean up the forest floor.
Also, some insects, like the caterpillars of the concealer moth Harpella forficella, have been found to eat this fungus.
See also
In Spanish: Daldinia concentrica para niños
