National Museum of Natural Science

This is a kind of forest “listening device.” From its common name, we know that exteriorly it resembles an ear. In addition, it has obvious long thick downy hairs, making it easy to identify. It is usually dry, flat, and tapering. However, in the presence of humidity, it swells. It is more brittle than wood ear mushrooms, making it better suited to cold dishes. In the past, it was also known as “jellyfish skin that grows on trees.”

Auricularia polytricha