Jew's Ear

Description:

The Jew's Ear Fungi gets its name from the story that Judas Iscariot hung himself from an elder tree, and this type of fungi is nearly always found growing on elder trees. Jews Ear fungi is pale brown in colour, becoming darker and firmer with age. The Jews Ear is one of the few species of fungi which has the ability to withstand freezing temperatures. This is a useful attribute, since it is able to develop new growths in January (normally the coldest month of the year in the UK). It can actually freeze solid, and when thawed out shows no ill effects.

Habitat:

This lovely fungi was found in some woods just down the road from my house where there is a mixture of Oak, Ash, Beech and Elder trees growing.

Notes:

not sent to BMS