Biodiversity Plants

Jew's Ear Fungus

There is a whole group of colourful, shiny fungi, known as Jelly fungi. The Jew's Ear Fungus is one such Jelly Fungi, and is found growing out of tree trunks and branches. The visible growth looks like little human ears.

And why is it known as Jew's Ears Fungus? Myth and legend link this fungus with Judas, who supposedly hanged himself to death, from an elder tree, after betraying Jesus Christ. As a result, the tree became known as the Judas tree. This type of tree often has these little Jelly fungi sprouting out of it, which became known as Judas's Ear. Over time, the name gradually changed to the similar-sounding Jew's Ear.

It is a tasty fungus, and is popular in Japanese and Chinese food.

	Jew's Ear Fungus
	There is a whole group of colourful, shiny fungi, known as Jelly fungi. The Jew's Ear Fungus is one such Jelly Fungi, and is found growing out of tree trunks and branches. The visible growth looks like little human ears.

	And why is it known as Jew's Ears Fungus? Myth and legend link this fungus with Judas, who supposedly hanged himself to death, from an elder tree, after betraying Jesus Christ. As a result, the tree became known as the Judas tree. This type of tree often has these little Jelly fungi sprouting out of it, which became known as Judas's Ear. Over time, the name gradually changed to the similar-sounding Jew's Ear. It is a tasty fungus, and is popular in Japanese and Chinese food.