A Funghi that is supposed to make good kindling

[Andrew Reed]

This is my first time to upload a .jpg, so hope it works. There should be attached a photo of this black conker like fungus 2-3 cm across. Or at least i think it is a funghi. I have seen it on wood in the early stages of decay. I have only ever seen it in a black, hard and dry state, so no idea what it could like like in full bloom. Seen it on small section standing timber in groups of 5 or 5, and yesterday a single one on a very dry cut log on open grass. It is not in my Fungi reference book, so do not know it's name. Anyway, I saw a TV programme that said this funghi can be used to help start fires. So today i tried it and put a a match to it. Not so sure it is that useful for starting fires, it kinda smolders like charcoal. But is does keep red/grey hot embers burning on its own. If a gentle breeze blowing, it could help get kindling going where a flame could normally blow out. Anyone know it's name? Does anyone use it for real to help start fires?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

daldinia concentrica, king alfreds burnt bun, or cramp balls for its rumoured ability to cure cramps, also constipation! makes a very fine BBQ charcoal bricket, takes a spark from a rod well, but to be honest, the best tinder comes from.... NO not the tinder fungus! the giant puff ball, the insides are fluffy and fibrous and i have tested them all for this fire starting ability, The Puff ball is the daddy!

[Charlieh]

coal fungus, cramp balls or King Alfred's cakes, latin Daldinia concentrica i think you need to dry it and keep in a small tin dry, ready to use for fire lighting

 

nuts 30seconds to slow and it was one i could ID as well

[Mesterh]

Daldinia concentrica

 

King Alfreds cakes,

Cramp balls

 

I think hoof fungus(Fomes fomentarius) is used to light fires or carry them, ie they also smolder for a long time so Mr cave man used them to keep fires going or carry fire with him.

 

I think..

[Charlieh]

surely a puff ball is for eating, its to good for burning as fire lighters very tasty (not the one it the pics above, i mean giant puffballs! before anyone trys eating a cramp ball)

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

surely a puff ball is for eating, its to good for burning as fire lighters very tasty (not the one it the pics above, i mean giant puffballs! before anyone trys eating a cramp ball)

 

Giant puff balls are over rated, and can only be eaten in the imature white solid state, once they develope not so good! best for tinder.

 

Did you know that scientists/mathematicians worked out that if every spore of one giant puff ball generated a new puff ball they would cover the entire surface of the earth 2-3 times over! awsome!

[David oakman]

Too slow Charlieh you must be quick to beat these fungi folk:lol:

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Too slow Charlieh you must be quick to beat these fungi folk:lol:

 

Yeah we sit here just waiting like stealth fungi thread ninjas, see the words FUNGI and bang were in there!