Jelly Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)

Auricularia auricula-judae — Malcolm Storey

The Jelly Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) looks remarkably like a human ear growing from a branch: a rubbery, reddish-brown cup, folded and veined inside, with a fine velvety down on the outside. It is soft and jelly-like when wet, shrivels hard and dark in dry weather, and swells back to life after rain.

It grows on dead and dying branches of broadleaf trees, especially elder, in damp, shady places, and can be found all year round. It is widespread and common everywhere.

It is now called the Jelly Ear because its old English name is considered offensive. The Tripe Fungus (Auricularia mesenterica) is greyer and hairier and forms tiered brackets. The Jelly Ear is edible when cooked, with a rubbery texture but little flavour.

Spore Print

Season

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

S

O

N

D

Native

non-toxic

Distribution

Widespread and common everywhere

Habitat

On living or dead branches of a variety of hardwoods but in particular Sambucus

Etymology

Auricularia is from the Latin auricula, 'little ear'. auricula-judae means 'Judas's ear', from the legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on an elder, its favourite host.

Associates

Sambucus

Fruiting Body

Ear-shaped, attached laterally or sometimes from a short stalk. Outer surface minutely pubescent. Hymenium is smooth, veined or wrinkled and slightly pruinose from the spores. Flesh is soft, gelatinous and rubbery. Hard and crisp when dry but can be re-hydrated when soaked in water.