Botany
A saprophytic fungus, growing in tree stumps in damp moist forests. Plant is formed by multi-celled hyphae extracting nutrients from decaying tree trunis or logged timber. Spores extending from the tree trunk are shaped like human ear, of variable sizes, smooth, dull brown to gray,sticky when moist, leathery when dry.

Species
Auricularia is found throughout the Philippines. Other than the auricula-judae species, another specie reported edible is Auricularia affinis Leville.

Distribution
In damp moist forests.

Properties
Neutral, pleasant tasting.

Uses
Folkloric
Used for metrorrhagia, urinary tract diseases, dysentery.
Bleeding hemorrhoids.
Dropsy and sore throat.
Culinary
Imported in dry state from China and Japan. A popular ingredient for chop-suey, sotanghon, pinsic, etc.

Availability
Wild-crafted.
Imported.