However, it certainly can be much larger and tends to grow in subtropical to tropical areas. It seems likely that Auricularia polytricha, cultivated for use in Oriental dishes, is a very close relative or even the same species.
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Sometimes the scientific name is listed as Hirneola auricula. Since the mushroom is particularly prevalent on menus in Oriental restaurants, more preferred names would be the "wood ear mushroom" or the "cloud ear mushroom," Some would consider other translations of the name perjorative, and hence I have not mentioned them here. In fact "Auricularia" means ear and the epithet "auricula-judae" means "the ear of Judas." However, the intriguing name has stuck, even with the normally stuffy taxonomists. Obviously, someone had an overactive imagination when seeing an ear on a tree and thinking of Judas. If you don't remember your New Testament (or care about it), Judas was the apostle who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The common name Judas's ear comes from the legend that Auricularia formed its ear-shaped fruiting bodies as a curse on the tree on which Judas hanged himself. The surface is smooth, wrinkled towards the center. Jew's Ear is a gelatinous cup fungus, ear-shaped, generally purplish grayish brown to dingy brown and 2-15cm broad. Nevertheless, he is highly prized in Asia and is commonly used in soups as it takes on the taste of condiments very well. When eaten by itself, it is not remarkably flavourful.
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All of the jelly fungi are Basidiomycota with an unusual jelly-like texture. About The Auricularia auricula-judae MushroomĪuricularia auricula-judae, is one of the jelly fungi.