Species library · Mushrooms

Foraging Wood Ear

Auricularia mesenterica

Typically in season from September to July, peaking around November to March in the northern hemisphere. Found in forest.

Wood Ear (Auricularia mesenterica)

Photo: carnifex · CC BY

When Wood Ear is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak November to March. 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 is usually found in forest.

Take Wood Ear into the field

Open Wood Ear 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: common questions

When is Wood Ear in season?

Wood Ear is generally in season from September to July, with its peak around November to March 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 grow?

Wood Ear is usually found in forest.

Is Wood Ear 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