Fenugreek Stalkball - Phleogena faginea

The small tough fruitbodies occur in clusters on the bark of deciduous trees, especially beech.  The head is ball-shaped, 1 to 3 mm across, and is intially greyish white, becoming dark grey or brownish with age.  

The smell of fenugreek (like mild curry-powder) becomes stronger as the fungus dries out, and is especially noticeable if a few specimens are placed in a sealed pot for a couple of days.

Similar in general appearance to a slime mould, but with a tough texture and usually larger. 

Photograph the fungus in its habitat.  Note the host tree species in your comments, and note the smell (this may take a while to develop in a closed container.) 

On the bark of dead hardwood, mostly Beech but occasionally other species.

Autumn to winter.