Nature's Ear, Auricularia Auricula-Judae

Day 144: It would seem that word of my endeavours to stimulate interest in the natural sciences has reached the ear of Nature herself. It's nice to know Ma's listening. This delightful discovery from the South Swofford Trail was the most ear-like example among dozens of a spring cup-fungus known as Auricularia auricula. It is purportedly edible, but you won't see me going there since most cups are rather leathery even in their tenderest moments. In our area, it occurs on both elder and maple, more commonly on decaying wood than on living. The interior of the cup is pinkish-brown to brown in age, and the exterior darkens as the fungus matures. It has a lengthy and tedious taxonomic history, and indeed its proper classification is still under debate. In some mycological references, it may be listed as "Auricularia auricula-judae," i.e., Judas' Ear, one of many other common names, some of which are less than racially sensitive. Other sources may refer to the North American species as "Auricularia americana." It is currently listed in the Burke Herbarium as Auricularia auricula, so I'm sticking with that.