This strange fungus blooms occasionally on old wood on a small tree in our garden. For a few days only, it is thick and jelly-like before rapidly shriveling and drying.
It grows on a branch of a Crossberry tree (Grewia occidentalis) and provides a rare, albeit temporary surprise. It is known as a Jelly Ear Fungus on account of its gelatinous consistency and its ear-like shape. It scientific name, insofar as I have been able to find out, is Auricularia auricula-judae. This fungus can be used in cooking, and it is also used medicinally in many regions of the world. It is widespread throughout temperate and sub-tropical zones worldwide and occurs on all continents (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auricularia_auricula-judae).
Posted in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme temporary
Posted by Carol
letting nature back in 
November 20, 2017 at 2:59 am
Thanks Joan. It is a beautiful fungus, though perhaps not conventionally so. Sorry to only be replying after such a long delay.
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November 15, 2017 at 11:59 am
I love the way the image captures the beauty – it’s a shame that it’s so short-lived. Thank you for sharing that Carol!
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November 14, 2017 at 6:37 pm
Thanks Anne. My Internet connection is sooo sloow I am having trouble posting a reply! I was hoping to say that yes, it is an interesting fungus, and I’d like to find out more about it.
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November 12, 2017 at 11:28 pm
Thank you for sharing! I always like to keep a lookout for the fungi that pop up after a rain. I’m still learning the seasonality of the various ones that grow here. I have seen some similar to the Auricaria auricaria-judae, but growing on stumps and dead wood – I’ll have to try to pay attention to what wood it is in the future.
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November 20, 2017 at 2:56 am
Thanks and sorry to only be responding now. Fungi are so incredibly diverse arn’t they? I notice that the branch on which this fungi is growing is now dying off. This is a tree that keeps on going even though periodically individual branches do die off, which then makes them suitable for some fungi, I suppose.
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November 12, 2017 at 10:46 pm
I know this fungi, too! In New Zealand, I often see it on fallen trees. It always fascinated me how much it looked and felt like an ear. :D.
There is a fab history of its use in NZ (along with other fungi) in this NZ Geographic article here: https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/feasting-on-fungi/
-Emma
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November 20, 2017 at 2:58 am
Thanks Emma. I am trying to ‘catch up’ while I have a weak and short-loved connection. Interesting that so many fungi are cosmopolitan. Thanks so much for the link – I will be interested to read it when my Internet connection is more stable.
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November 21, 2017 at 11:37 am
No worries at all! đŸ™‚
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November 11, 2017 at 9:00 pm
Fascinating!
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November 14, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Thanks, and I find them fascinating too.
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November 11, 2017 at 2:12 pm
I know I have said this before, but I love your interpretation of the words. I really want to try this challenge too….. One day.
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November 14, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Thanks Nikki. I look forward to seeing your photos.
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November 10, 2017 at 8:29 am
I’ve only ever seen this ( or its European cousin?) while out walking, so I had no idea it was a short-lived one. I always thought of tree-residing fungus as being there for the long haul. Thanks for the lesson!
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November 20, 2017 at 2:51 am
Thanks Margaret – thanks and sorry I have taken so long to reply. As far as I understand, the fungus itself is long-lived, but the ‘bloom’ only lasts a few days.
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November 10, 2017 at 2:46 am
What an interesting fungi. Thanks for sharing.
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November 20, 2017 at 2:48 am
Thanks Rebel GIrl. Apologies for the long delay in replying. Unfortunately, my usual Internet connection is still not restored and the other one I am using is not sufficient đŸ˜¦
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November 9, 2017 at 8:38 pm
What an interesting looking fungus – I have not come across it before.
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November 20, 2017 at 2:46 am
Thanks Anne. I did respond before but with my iffy Internet connection my first response ‘disappeared’ and my second response didn’t thread properly, so I am not sure if you were aware of it.
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