Auricularia auricula-judae
Auricularia auricula-judae, commonly known as jelly ear and previously known 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.
| Auricularia auricula-judae | |
|---|---|
| A young fruit body on fallen wood in England | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Auriculariales |
| Family: | Auriculariaceae |
| Genus: | Auricularia |
| Species: | A. auricula-judae |
| Binomial name | |
| Auricularia auricula-judae | |
| Synonyms | |
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Species synonymy
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| Smooth hymenium | |
| No distinct cap | |
| Hymenium attachment is not applicable | |
| Lacks a stipe | |
| Spore print is white | |
| Ecology is saprotrophic or parasitic | |
| Edibility is edible | |
The fungus can be found throughout the year in Europe, where it normally grows on wood of broadleaf trees and shrubs. Auricularia auricula-judae was used in folk medicine as recently as the 19th century for complaints including sore throats, sore eyes and jaundice, and as an astringent. It is edible, but not widely consumed.
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