Wood ear may look like the ears on trees, but it is in fact a type of fungus that grows in New Zealand. Here are 6 facts about this floppy, ear shaped fungus.
I would hardly call myself an expert on fungus and mushrooms, but I do find them fascinating. The native forests of New Zealand are home to quite a variety of fungi. The beech forests of the south island are home to the Amanita or scarlet flycap. The coastal podocarp/broadleaf forests of the north island is where you can find heaps of fungus, including puff balls, orange pore conch, birds nest, and the aptly named wood ear fungus.
6 Facts About New Zealand’s Wood Ear Fungus
The scientific name for this fungus is Auricularia cornea and the Maori call it hakeke.
This fungus most often can be found growing on dead wood or the dead parts of live trees. Thus, this type of fungus is a decomposer. It slowly eats away and decomposes the dead wood.
This fungus is edible and actually played an important role in the Taranaki area for the local economy. Wood ear is eaten in many Chinese dishes. A Chinese man that moved to Taranaki in the 1870s, Chew Chong, discovered it in the bush and realized it’s importance. He began paying locals to bring it to him, which he would then export to China. This money became an important source of cash for locals. It continued to be exported to China until the 1960s.
Wood ear grows as a soft, floppy fungus on trees. It is usually a brown to dark grey color. It swells or shrinks depending on the amount of water and how much it has rained.
It can be found growing on the dead wood of many native trees. The most common native trees that it grows on are mahoe, puakatea, and tawa.
The Chinese liked to eat this mixed into stir fries, soups, and lots of food. However, the Maori also ate it. They didn’t love it, but they would eat it if there was not a lot of other food around.