Key Features

Mushroom pliant and rubbery, shaped more or less like an ear or a shallow inverted cup. Interior surface tan, brown, red-brown, or purple- brown, bald. Exterior usually veined or ribbed, finely hairy, some shade of brown. Flesh rubbery or gelatinous (jellylike), not brittle. Stalk absent. Growing on wood. Other Features: Small to medium-sized; hard when dried out. Where: On rotting wood, usually in groups; widespread, especially Common in mountains. Edibility: Edible. A similar species, A. polytricha (the cloud ear or tree ear), is cultivated in Asia for use in soups and can be purchased dried in Asian food stores. Both species are used medicinally in China and have been shown to reduce cholesterol buildup in the blood. Note: Because of its shape, the wood ear can be mistaken for a cup fungus. However, its texture is rubbery rather than brittle, and there are also microscopic differences.