Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature : A flattish, convoluted, ear-shaped brownish fungus growing on wood.

The old common name, also reflected in its Latinaeae name, of 'Judas's Ear' eventually became corrupted to 'Jew's Ear', but today 'Jelly Ear' is more politically correct.

It is distinguished by its brown colouration and uncanny ear-like shape, and grows upon both dead and living wood, especially Elder. It is edible, and used to be popular with the Chinese people, but it is not regarded as a choice edible mushroom in the west.

Its peculiar ear-like shape is due to differential growth where the inner parts grow faster than the outer parts near the edge, or, more un-likely, differential shrinkage. But given its size in relation to the much smaller ones next to it, the author opts for the former.

Modern research into possible medical applications have variously concluded that Jelly Ear has antitumour, hypoglycemic, anticoagulant and cholesterol-lowering properties.

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