2015-07-19

Jelly Ear Fungus

Auricularia auricular, or Jelly ear fungus is a fungus of the Auriculariaceae fungus family. The popular name of the mushroom Judas ear in many European languages ​​comes from the biblical legend of Judas Iscariot, who hanged himself on elderberry.

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Wood ear mushroom

Wood Ear Fungus


This mushroom got its name for its resemblance to the human ear, commonly known as Jewish ear, Jewish meat,  wood eardried wood earsear mushroom, elf ear mushroom, elves ear mushroom, ear jellies, mouse ear mushroom, bat ear mushroom, jelly ear, jelly ear mushroom, jelly ear fungus, auricularia,  auriculariales fungus, auricularia mushroom, tree eartree ear mushroomtree ear fungus, dried wood ears, Judas's Ear, auricularia fungi, wood ear fungus or wood ear mushroom. The official Latin name also mentions Judas. The reason for this is again very "logical" - most often, auricularia can be found on the felled trunks of elms or elderberries. And Judas hanged himself on the elderberry, "as everyone knows". Therefore, the mushroom officially began to bear his name.

In ancient medical books, it is indicated that the mushroom "Wood Ear Mushroom", found in the Caucasus and the Far East in the form of gristly-gelatinous yellowish-brown or reddish-brown ear-like growths on dead wood, helps with some diseases of the throat. "Wood ear" is one of the artificially grown mushrooms. Its annual production in the Far East reaches 120 thousand tons. Some specimens are very similar in shape to human ears.

It grows on dead wood, especially on elder branches. Edible. Previously, this mushroom was used in medicine as an external cooling agent for sore throat and eyes; it is popularly used for this purpose in some places to this day. In Southeast Asia and the Far East, this mushroom and related species called "tree ears" are considered a delicacy and are even grown artificially.

The Chinese name for the mushroom is mu er, which translates as "tree ear". The Japanese name is kikurage and means tree jellyfish. The mushroom is also often called Jelly Ear, Ear MushroomKikurage food.

These mushrooms can be found throughout the year, but autumn mushrooms are most visible, especially after rain. Autumn mushrooms are more challenging and more resilient and are often not harvested. 

There is evidence that these mushrooms were grown in China over 1,500 years ago. Judas' ears grow up to 3 cm across, although specimens up to 12 cm wide are often found in nature. The mushroom is rigid, jelly and elastic to the touch. The mushroom is prized in the Far East. An obligatory ingredient in the Chinese Black Mushroom soup.

Dense hairy auricularia: How to recognize the "tree ear fungus."

The color of this tree inhabitant is dark olive or brown on the outside of the cap. Inside, it is grey-purple or pinkish-grey. The upper part of the cap has a glossy sheen, while the bottom is covered with a thick layer of hairs. The fungus is large - adult specimens reach 14-18 cm in diameter, the height of the cap is up to 10 cm, and its thickness is only a couple of millimeters. The stalk often either grows very small and almost invisible or is absent altogether. Visually, the mushroom resembles the human ear, for which it received the "eared" name among the people.

First Photo credit nutmeg66
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Jelly ear mushroom
Photo credit Simon Merrifield

Jelly Ear Mushroom


The smell is a mild mushroom, and the consistency of the mushroom pulp resembles cartilage, but it has a softer, gelatinous structure. Auricularia tolerates drought well - at this time, it simply withers and shrinks, but after the first rain, it regains its original shape.

Distinctive features of auricularia auricula or "Judae"

Like its closest relatives, this fungus subspecies is similar in shape and appearance to the human organ of hearing. In comparison with the thick-haired auricularia, the similarity is further aggravated by the color of the cap: it can be grey-brown or reddish-brown in dry weather, and after rain, it becomes dark olive or yellow-brown. Its diameter ranges from 5-10 cm. The hat is attached to the trunk sideways, shaped like a shell, and has veins and cells. The flesh of the cap can be 2-3 mm thick, without a particular smell, gelatinous consistency.

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Jelly ear fungus
Photo credit Solange B
Auricularia sinuous or membranous: Features of appearance

Unlike the pear-shaped and densely-haired, which in their shape are very reminiscent of a shell, the membranous subspecies are similar to a disc. The semicircular cap straightens over time, forming lamellar forms. In width, they reach 8-12 cm, and in thickness - no more than 4-5 millimeters.

There are concentric grooves on the outside of the cap. Between them, there are even parts of a dark brown color. The general color of the mushroom is light grey, beige, brown. There are specimens with a greenish bloom - the fault is moss or algae. The underside of the cap has a wrinkled, sinewy surface and a brownish-purple coloration.

The soft, elastic, and tasteless pulp, even without beneficial properties, has not gained much popularity either among mushroom pickers or doctors.

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Jelly ear
Photo credit Staatsbosbeheer
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Jelly ear mushroom
Photo credit Staatsbosbeheer
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Judae
Photo credit Rosey
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Auricularia Auricula
Photo credit Joy
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Auricularia Auricula-Judae
Photo credit Gidzy
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Auricularia sp
Photo credit Solange B
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Auricularia fungi
Photo credit honderd woorden
Wood Ear Mushroom | Video

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Judas's Ear
Photo credit Szabo Jozsef(iosif)

Source — LesnikWikipedia

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