Species library · Mushrooms

Foraging Wood Ear Fungus

Auricularia cornea

Typically in season from October to February in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

Wood Ear Fungus (Auricularia cornea)

Photo: Matt H · CC0

When Wood Ear Fungus is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak October to February. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in July

Where it grows

Wood Ear Fungus is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

Take Wood Ear Fungus into the field

Open Wood Ear Fungus in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Wood Ear Fungus: common questions

When is Wood Ear Fungus in season?

Wood Ear Fungus is generally in season from October to February in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Wood Ear Fungus grow?

Wood Ear Fungus is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

Is Wood Ear Fungus safe to forage?

Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits