Brittle Cinder

Brittle Cinder fungus produces an irregular, wavy-edged crust. It is initially infertile and a greyish-white colour. The fruitbodies then become brown, before finally turning black and extremely brittle.

Brittle Cinder is easily spotted when it is young, but old fruitbodies look more like cinders or charred wood and can easily be missed.

Brittle Cinder is parasitic on the roots and lower trunks of living hardwood trees, especially oaks, beeches and limes. It continues to consume the wood once the tree has died.

Old black Brittle Cinder can be found throughout the year. The new fruitbodies of the fungus appear in springtime.

A widespread and common species in Britain.