Jelly Ear
ExploreFungi
Jelly Ear
Auricularia
The Jelly Ear fungus looks like a floppy ear! It is soft and squishy, and you can find it growing on dead trees.
Habitat: On decaying wood in forests
Appearance
The Jelly Ear is a gelatinous, ear-shaped fungus, typically reddish-brown to dark brown, often with a velvety outer surface. Its wrinkled, wavy form strongly resembles a human ear, making it visually distinct from most other fungi found on wood.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAuricularialesFamilyAuriculariaceaeGenusAuricularia
Category
FungiRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Chewing Jelly Ear creates a fun, slightly crunchy or 'squeaky' sensation!
It is commercially cultivated on logs or sawdust, especially in East Asia.
This mushroom's Latin name, *auricula-judae*, means 'Judas's ear,' linking it to a biblical story!
Traditional Chinese medicine uses Jelly Ear, believing it enhances blood circulation and well-being.
Special abilities
Ability
Wood Recycler
Jelly Ear can decompose dead deciduous wood because it produces enzymes that help them break down tough plant materials.
Ability
Freeze-Thaw Resistance
Jelly Ear has a flexible, gelatinous texture that helps them withstand freezing and thawing without damage.
Measurements & details
- Edibility
- edible
- Cap Diameter
- 3-10 cm
- Growth Substrate
- wood
- Season
- Year-round, especially autumn to spring
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
depends on
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Decomposes dead wood of this common deciduous tree.
depends on
Elder
Sambucus nigra
Often found growing on dead or dying elder branches.
eaten by
Black Slug
Arion ater
Slugs and snails sometimes feed on its soft, gelatinous fruiting body.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Black FungusWood Ear
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jelly Ear edible?
edible
How big is Jelly Ear?
3-10 cm
Where is Jelly Ear usually found?
On decaying wood in forests
What does Jelly Ear grow on?
wood
When is Jelly Ear in season?
Year-round, especially autumn to spring
What color are Jelly Ear spores?
White
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