Fauna
Fungus

Conifer Jelly Ear

Auricularia americana

Also known as American Jelly Ear, Wood Ear Fungus

Conifer jelly ears produce rubbery, ear-shaped fruitbodies that cling to decaying pine, spruce, and fir logs across North America and East Asia. These saprotrophic fungi shrink and dry into brittle black crusts during dry spells, only to rehydrate and swell back into flexible brownish jelly after autumn rains. They play an essential role in breaking down lignin and returning nutrients to forest soils.

FungusGelatinousDecomposer
Conifer Jelly Ear reference1 / 7
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySaprotrophic (decomposing dead wood)
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Fungus Gnats
  • Forest Beetles
ThreatsDeforestation and clear-cutting
HabitatsConiferous and mixed forests
Life spanFruitbodies persist for several months
Classification
  1. OrderAuriculariales
  2. FamilyAuriculariaceae
  3. GenusAuricularia
  4. SpeciesAuricularia americana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Look for gelatinous cup- or ear-like structures on rotting pine or fir bark after heavy rainfall.
  • Seasonal Timing: Search moist conifer woodlands in late autumn and mild winter periods when moisture is abundant.
  • Identification Tip: Examine the attachment point and substrate to distinguish from hardwood-dwelling jelly species.
Related species
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