Brittle Cinder Fungus Taken at Strathclyde Park on 11th December 2020 using Panasonic Lumix LX5 in macro mode. Brittle Cinder Fungus. Species: Order: Family: Kretzschmaria deusta. Xylariales. Xylariaceae. Habitat: Season: Feature: Found on broadleaved trees including beech, oak, lime and horse chestnut. New fruitbodies appear in springtime, but old blackened Brittle Cinder fungi can be found throughout the year. Brittle Cinder continues to consume the timber once its host has died. Infected trees are prone to sudden collapse, and so infected specimens near to buildings, roads or other vulnerable structures may require felling. When picking any fungus for consumption, caution should be exercised at all times.