King Alfred’s Cakes
Doldinia concentrica

King Alfred’s Cakes fungi Creative Commons Attribution: Bruce Langridge
If you’re out camping and are having trouble lighting a camp fire, this King Alfred’s Cakes fungus could come in handy. Found on dead ash branches in our Trawscoed Wood, it will easily take a spark if dry and will burn slowly.
Open it up with a knife and you’ll see concentric rings inside – this explains its Latin name. You might also see little insects living inside.