Jelly Ear and Velvet Foot

Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae

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Yesterday I walked along the very muddy path by the golf course on the west bank of the Arun. I found two lovely species of fungi.

The Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae is also known as Jew's Ear & Jelly Ear. It is an edible fungus found worldwide. The fruiting body is ear shaped and it grows on wood, especially elder. There is a belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree and the common name Judas's Ear  eventually became Jew's Ear. The fungus can be found throughout the year in temperate regions worldwide, where it grows upon both dead and living wood. It was used in folk medicine as recently as the 19th century for sore throats, sore eyes and jaundice, and as an astringent. The fungus is a popular ingredient in many Chinese dishes and in medicine.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auricularia_auricula-judae

Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae

Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae

Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae

Velvet Foot, Flammulina velutipes is also known as Winter Mushroom as it fruits in cold weather. Its other names Velvet Stem and Velvet Foot refer to the black fuzzy base of the stipe. Enoki and Enokitake are Japanese names for the cultivated variety of this edible fungus which clusters on dead deciduous wood, especially elm.

Velvet Foot, Flammulina velutipes

Velvet Foot, Flammulina velutipes

Velvet Foot, Flammulina velutipes

Velvet Foot, Flammulina velutipes