Daldinia concentrica cross-sections

As a frequenter of deadwood, particularly that of mature ash trees, the coal fungus is classed as a saprophyte. Outwardly, it is relatively uninteresting, bland, and for someone who isn’t looking for it, probably avoidable. However, despite its vanilla exterior, opening up a sporophore reveals a far more interesting internal appearance.

A horizontal cross-section shows this sporophore’s growth pattern, and generally just looks rather pretty.

A vertical cross-section, whilst not as alluring from an aesthetic standpoint, reveals the width of growth spurts. I can count fourteen,  on this sporophore.