Auricularia auricula-judae
Overview
A distinctive, jelly-like fungus commonly found on elder trees. Widely used in cooking and traditional medicine.
Habitat
Dead or dying elder; occasionally other hardwoods.
Season
Year-round, most abundant autumn to spring.
Identification Notes
Ear-shaped, rubbery texture, brown to purplish-brown, translucent when fresh.
Uses
Culinary (soups, stir-fries), traditional medicinal use.
Lookalikes & Cautions
Few true lookalikes; texture and habitat are key.
Foraging Notes
Harvest sparingly from fallen wood; avoid polluted areas.
