Auricularia

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Auricularia (order Auriculariales) A genus of fungi in which the fruit bodies are gelatinous but firm, and may be cup-shaped, ear-shaped, discoid, etc. The hymenium is borne on one side of the fruit body. A. auricula (also known as Hirneola auricula-judae) is the ‘Jew's ear’ fungus which is a common parasite on elder (Sambucus) and other trees. A. mesenterica has a resupinate fruit body with a velvety surface and a jutting, shelf-like upper margin. It is common throughout the year on hardwood stumps and logs.