Auricularia auricula-judae Fr

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Common name: Jew's Ear, a corruption of 'Judas Ear'. Supposedly from the tradition that Judas hung himself on an elder tree. In Europe, this fungus is most common on elder trees and the more or less ear shape suggested its name. Also called Wood Ear.

Description: The fruiting bodies are smooth to very finely velvety, usually a light or dark brown or sepia colour on the upper surface, and may be up to 10 cm in diameter. The overall shape resembles an ear, although sometimes a little imagination is necessary. The under surface is generally smooth but can be wrinkled and is always much paler, usually with a pinkish tint. The texture is rubbery and gelatinous and has little or no taste. It dries rather hard, like finger nails or thin plastic.

The spores measure 1215 × 56.5 µm, are ellipsoidal but usually curved, smooth and colourless.

Substratum: Auricularia auricula-judae is found on old logs in tropical and subtropical rainforest (although it has been found in eucalypt woodland), usually in large clusters.

Distribution: Known from New South Wales and Queensland.

Notes: The Jews Ear is edible and was collected during the early 1900s for export to China as food. The fungus is still used in Asian cooking and can be bought in dried form in specialist food shops.