A fungus which looks very like the fruiting bodies have gone through a process of carbonisation. Apart from the fanciful King Alfred’s cakes, they are also known as the coal fungus, the carbon fungus and, presumably from their supposed herbal healing powers, the cramp ball fungus.
Their fiery connections don’t end there. They’re one of the species of fungus which can be used to make tinder if anyone wants to make fire the old fashioned, hard way.
These looked to have emerged fairly recently recently emerged when I noticed them. But unless they are disturbed, they could last for years.