Auricularia auricula judae - Jew?s Ear

Well in these modern post coital times we need to be careful what we say or write in case we fall foul of the illiterati, those numpties who haven't got a clue why things are called what they are called; and ignore those who fought to enable the illiterati to have the freedom to gainsay those of us who still use old names. (Think Guy Gibson's Labrador.)

Rantishism over. Just.

I learn heaps from and because of this site. Knowing there are so many well educated folk at one end of the spectrum and me at the other keeps me on my toes.

Carl Linnaeus named the species in 1753. He's the chap who gave us the classic form of naming plants, animals and minerals.
The Wiki page on Jew's Ear is fascinating. There is a belief that the fungi developed its name because Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an Elder. However the species grows on many other trees.

There is an oddity under the binomial naming system whereby this plant rather than having a two worded name has a hyphenated three word name. ie Auricularia auricula-judae, it was apparently decided by taxonomists to bend the rules and keep the name within the "letter of the law." Despite this some insist on using the first two words, dropping the allusion to Jews completely.

Freedom of speech and expression - Discuss.

PS I have no idea what the fern is. Any knowledgeable advice appreciated.

Carl Linnaeus Natural History Museum


Wiki - Jews Ear

Also available in large.