Number 09 - It's the 29th of January 2022 & today I found an Auricularia aricula-judae also known as the Jelly Ear Fungus. Found on broadleaved hardwood tree species; particularly dead Elder wood or fallen branches. The specimens I photographed were on Birch & in Winter. Although year round they fruit summer & autumn & my specimens were at the later stage of life so bear in mind when you are scouting (ps. with that being said I aim to add to this page when I find younger & maturing fruit bodies). This fungus is part of the Auriculariaceae family & the closer genus, as the name suggests, Auricularia. The Jelly Ear however does not have taxomic group, rather is a basidiomycete that imitates a jelly-like texture.
Fruiting Body: Ear shaped, connected to it's host by one edge, with fine velvet-like downy hairs (figure 01) which is evident in maturity particularly as darker textures highlight the fine hairs which maintain appearance once grown. Inner surface has a smooth texture however.
Spores/Print: Allantoid, 16-18 x 6-8µm. White spore print
Stipe: N.A
Flesh: Purple-brown
Skirt: Absent/N.A
Size/Height: Cap: 3-10cm diameter/Height: N/A as no stem
Season: All year. Common throughout the UK; although less records outer west Wales & farther north of UK.
Habitat: Deciduous trees; particularly Elder.
Distribution: Quite chaotic in that it is inconsistent is how & where it distributes itself across it's host organism, with it appearing in isolated to dense clusters. Grows in an abundance of intricate shapes & sizes especially in Asia & particularly after the monsoon season.
Edible: Yes! Although none distinct in taste, that's easily fixable with some seasoning, with younger fruit bodies favoured for best culinary experience. Texture is crunchy & slimy. Often used as a tofu style ingredient whereby used as a great absorber of any character ingredients; just like the Odour/Taste suggests, a great template for cooking with. A choice mushroom in Chinese dishes where also the similarly Cloud Ear (Auricularia Polytricha) is culturally prominent. This mushroom takes beautifully to salads.
Odour/Taste: Non distinctive
Medicinal: Lower cholesterol & contains anticoagulant properties; though recent research suggests, there however lays no conclusive evidence
Confusion Species: Auricularia Mesenterica - Known as the Tripe Fungus or Grey Brain Fungus; as the name suggests belongs to the same genus; fruit bodies tend to be smaller, grey-brownish & form more so a bracket tiers on dead broadleaved species. A key part of it's appearance for me is the hair's are much longer on the outer body & paler body (in relation to the Jelly Ear)
Etymology: Auricula is Latin for ear; with Judae translating to Judas; said to have betrayed Jesus. Jews Ear fungus is an alternative name given; particularly found in older field guides. Other names include Wood Ear & Judas' Ear; the latter of which is a reference to the belief that Judas Iscariot hung himself on an Elder tree in shame after betraying Jesus Christ to his executioners.
Ecological role: Saprobe fungi but can be a weak parasite on trunks. Found as a saprobe on dead or decaying wood; & as habitat states the Auricularia aricula-judae prefers a broad range of broadleaved tree species; but favours Elder be it the trunks or branches. Rarely but nevertheless found on other hardwood species Beech, Ash, & Sycamore.
Notes: Easily withstands freezing conditions; on the contrary, even in summer can live in dry climates & then reconstitute when rain comes.
Pictures taken: 29/01/2022
Reference List:
Mushroom pocket guide
Comments