Chinese Black Wood Ear
Auricularia heimuer
Family: Auriculariaceae
Also called: Black Wood Ear, Heimuer, 黑木耳, Mokurage
Overview
The Chinese cultivated black wood ear — distinct from the New World A. americana and the European A. auricula-judae. Wild on dead broadleaf logs across East Asia after warm rain. Always cooked; raw consumption inhibits platelet aggregation. Staple of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Korean cooking.
Edibility
Edible
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
saprotrophic
Typical peak
Jun & Sep
Season
Spring–autumn after rain — typical fruiting months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Host trees & substrate
- Dead oak log
- Dead Castanopsis log
- Dead willow
Key identification features
- Gelatinous ear-shaped fruitbody
- Brown to nearly black on top, paler velvety underside
- Rehydrates from dry
Where it grows
See live fruiting predictions for Chinese Black Wood Ear on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.
Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.