Judas's Ear Fungus - now with added close-up on hairs

[Bruce Williams]

Hi folks,

I took these photos while out dog walking this afternoon. I found the fungus Auricularia auricula-judae widely distributed over a number of fallen Sycamore branches. Fruiting bodies ranged in size from just a few millimetres up to maybe 12 to 15 centimetres. The fungus is also commonly found on Elder.

The common name for this edible jelly fungus is the Judas's Ear Fungus. The name comes from the story that the disciple Judas Iscariot hanged himself on an Elder tree after betraying Jesus to the Roman authorities for 30 pieces of silver.

Pic1 clearly justifies the generic name Auricularia (Latin = earlike) as well as its common name. However, as you can see the fungus is interestingly variable in shape.

The photos are all single, hand-held shots taken with my Minolta A2. The temperature was in the low 50's so the frost-like bloom is not due to cold weather.

Bruce

[Adrian]

very interesting bruce, nice crisp clean shots, ive never seen anything like it before, thanks!

[beetleman]

Yes, I agree, Very interesting subject and the photos are great. The first one sure does fit the ear look Thanks also for all the great info on the subject too Bruce.

[Bruce Williams]

Thought I'd add this close-up crop from pic2 (frame is ~12mm x 16mm). The crop is at full, out-of-camera resolution with a VERY small amount of USM (50, 0.4, 0). At this resolution it does suffer a bit from limited dof, however it is still sharp enough to show the white, down-like bloom more clearly.

Bruce

[beetleman]

They do look soft and fuzzy...like you would want to snuggle up to one Eatable??

[salden]

First I have seen of these, and now I want one . Great images Bruce.

[MacroLuv]

That fungi is very common here. You can eat it fresh without any preparations.

[Carl_Constantine]

Nice pics. this fungus has a "valvet" look to it. Nicely done.

[Bruce Williams]

Doug - as Nikola says, it is edible. This website has a recipe for Chinese-style Seaweed Soup which includes 100 grams of this fungus (under a different common name). It also contains recipes for Pan Boiled Fox and Pan Braised Squirrels if your wife is looking for something slightly different to tempt your palate with.

Nikola - The species is fairly common in the UK too - although quite easy to miss if you're not looking for it.

I came across another "interesting" bit of info about this fungus. Apparently the fungal body has the ability to absorb and hold large quantities of water (like a sponge) and in the past it was used as a method for applying liquid treatments to weak or diseased eyes. Must have looked odd though with a Judas' ear on each eye

Sue - I can understand your need - I can see how easy it would be to become Judas' Ear dependent - just to take it out and l look at it now and again....

Carl - Thanks for your kind words. Kidding aside, I think the larger, more mature heads have quite interesting (even atractive?) forms.

Bruce

[cactuspic]

Very well done and interesting images. My curiosity has again be engaged.

Irwin

[Ken Ramos]

These are some great images Bruce but I refrain from eating fungi if at all possible, to tell the truth I really don't like the taste of them. These little "ears" grow all over the place around where I live. Now as for "Braised Squirrel," yum , my favorite rodent on a plate, well maybe not, I really like rabbits a lot too, especailly Welsh rarebit. The best I have ever eaten was in a small resteraunt in Barcellona, Spain