Cramp Balls vs

Daldinia concentrica compared with Daldinia decipiens

Key Differences

• Cramp Balls is Vulnerable while is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Cramp Balls
Kingdom same	Fungi (เห็ดรา)	Fungi (เห็ดรา)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class same	Sordariomycetes (Sordariomycetes)	Sordariomycetes (Sordariomycetes)
Order same	Xylariales (Xylariales)	Xylariales (Xylariales)
Family same	Hypoxylaceae	Hypoxylaceae
Genus same	Daldinia	Daldinia
Species	Daldinia concentrica	Daldinia decipiens

Evolutionary Relationship

Cramp Balls and share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Daldinia.

Conservation Status

Cramp Balls

VU — Vulnerable

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Cramp Balls
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Cramp Balls

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (5 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Brazil). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Daldinia decipiens is a ball-shaped, carbonaceous ascomycete fungus producing firm, rounded stromata on dead wood of broadleaf trees, displaying characteristic concentric zones when sectioned. It is found in temperate forests and woodland edges across Europe and contributes to the decomposition of hardwood. Listed as Data Deficient, its exact distribution and ecology require further investigation.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden