Auricularia cornea (white)
Ehrenb. 1820
For many years I have heard of these white wood-ears and seen the odd photos, so I was pleased when I came across them myself. Interestingly, the species was mixed with the normal brown species. On looking at them with my microscope, I found the white looked to be sterile; that is, no spores. Even the brown ones had very few spores.
Common name: Wood ear.
Habitat: Native Forest.
Substrate: Growing from wood.
Distribution: New Zealand wide.
Season: Any time after rain.
Biostatus: Indigenous, non-endemic.
Edible: No.
Spore print: White.