Jelly ear

Description:

Plush jelly fungus, covered in fine white hairs, in shades of brown, maroon, and even purple. Large specimens. One wood ear fruiting body clocks in at almost 5". Most likely edible. Saprobic. Fungal substrate is a rotten log with light bark, and lichens and moss growing on it.

Habitat:

Spotted in moderate shade in a swamp at Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve.

Notes:

Considering geographic distribution, three other possible species include Auricularia americana, A. nigricans and A. auricula-judae. However, several species of Auricularia cannot be told apart visually and must be identified microscopically.