Jelly Ear Fungus

Jelly Ear Fungus - Auricularia auricula-judae - growing on a tree stump near the path at the top of the Massney Braes. It had previously been called 'Judas's Ear' because it is most commonly found on elder and Judas was said to have hanged himself from an elder tree. It eventually became 'Jew's Ear', while nowadays 'Jelly Ear' is probably the favoured name. It is common in winter and grows on dead branches of trees such as sycamore, but most often found on elder.