What is "jew's-ear"

Auricula \Au*ric"u*la\, n.; pl. L. Auricul[ae], E. Auriculas. [L. auricula. See Auricle.]

1. (Bot.)

   1. A species of Primula, or primrose, called also, from the shape of its leaves, bear's-ear.

   2. (b) A species of Hirneola ( Hirneola auricula), a membranaceous fungus, called also auricula Jud[ae], or Jew's-ear.
      --P. Cyc.

2. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. A genus of air-breathing mollusks mostly found near the sea, where the water is brackish.

   2. One of the five arched processes of the shell around the jaws of a sea urchin.

Jew's-ear \Jew's"-ear`\, Jew's-ears \Jew's"-ears`\, n. (Bot.) A widely distributed species of edible fungus ( Auricularia auricula-judae, formerly Hirneola Auricula-Jud[ae], or Hirneola Auricula), bearing some resemblance to the human ear and growing on decaying wood.

Syn: ear fungus, .