Judas's Ear Fungus

Judas's Ear (Hirneola auricula-judae) is an ear-shaped edible mushroom. It is most often found on dead elder trees, but can also grow on other plants. It is a very rare mushroom in the Bieszczady Mountains and the Low Beskid. Its color ranges from purple to dark brown or black and its texture is rubbery. Hirneola auricula-judae is valued in Chinese and Japanese cuisine and it is called there tree ear and tree-jellyfish. Spinners Nature Preserve - Czarnorzeki - June 08, 2008.