Auricularia auricula-judae, commonly known as wood ear, jelly ear or historically as Jew's ear, is a species of fungus in the order Auriculariales. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are brown, gelatinous, and have a noticeably ear-like shape. They grow on wood, especially elder. The specific epithet is derived from the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree.
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Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Jelly Ear being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Auricularia angiospermarum
- Auricularia americana
- Auricularia cerrina
- Auricularia fuscosuccinea
- Auricularia polytricha
Classification
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Auriculariales
- Family
- Auriculariaceae
- Genus
- Auricularia
- Species
- Auricularia auricula-judae
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