Silver Ear Mushroom (Tremelia Fuctormis)

This species produces a white, lobed, irregularly shaped fruiting body. It is a species that has been long utilized as a "herb" to cure many ailments. It is listed as a folk remedy in old pharmacological, Chinese books, and is said to be a remedy for tuberculosis, high blood pressure, the common cold and to extend life expectancy.

However, it is also considered a delicacy and, prior to its cultivation, was affordable only for the tables of the rich. For many years, it was believed that this species was a wood decomposer as is the Shiitake and Ear Fungus. However, it is now known to be a parasite on species of Ascomycota that are usually found growing nearby on the same log as T. fuciformis. A fungus that is parasitic on another fungus is said to be a mycoparasite. Thus, in order to grow this species, the host fungus must first be inoculated into the substrate and allowed to grow for a period of time and the T. fuciformis is later inoculated and will derive its nutrition on the host fungus and not from the woody material. This species occurs in Hawai‘i, but not commonly.