Auricularia auricula-judae, the jelly ear, is a rubbery, ear- or cup-shaped jelly fungus of the order Auriculariales that grows on dead and dying broadleaf wood, especially elder. Molecular work has split the former cosmopolitan concept into several species, so the name now applies only to the European fungus. The 'wood ear' sold and cultivated in East Asia is mainly A. heimuer.
Edible but not highly regarded: it has a mild, bland flavour and is valued mainly for its texture. It must be cooked thoroughly, as it is not edible raw. When dried it rehydrates to 3-4 times its dried size. It is eaten in parts of Europe, for example Poland.
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Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
Habitat
Saprotroph or weak parasite causing white rot on deciduous wood, especially elder (Sambucus nigra); also common on sycamore, beech, ash and spindle; rarely on conifers.
Distribution
Widespread throughout Europe and not known with certainty elsewhere. North American look-alikes are separate species: A. angiospermarum on broadleaf wood and A. americana on conifers. The East Asian cultivated species are A. heimuer and A. villosula. A. cerrina, a dark grey-black species on oak, occurs in southern Europe.
Characteristics
Fruitbody: up to 9 cm across and about 3 mm thick; ear- to cup-shaped; attached laterally, with little or no stem. Upper surface: reddish-tan brown with a purplish tint; finely covered in tiny grey downy hairs; darkens with age. Underside (fertile surface): paler grey-brown; smooth, sometimes folded or veined. Flesh: gelatinous-rubbery when fresh; hard when dry; revives when wetted. Spores: allantoid (sausage-shaped), 15-22 x 5-7 um. Basidia: cylindrical, 65-85 x 4-5.5 um, with three transverse septa. Variants: wholly white forms occur (formerly 'A. lactea').
