Ecology & HabitatSaprotrophic, Growing singly or in rows of clusters, on dead wood, either standing or fallen. On hardwoods or conifers.
Edibility, Taste & OdorIndistinct odor. Mild flavor, if any. Mostly added to dishes for texture. Edible
FleshShaped like somewhat like a fan, but somewhat like a cup, it resembles an ear. The inside sometimes contains wrinkles or folds lending even more of an ear like appearance to it. When moist, it is amber to brown and semi-translucent. It may have fine white hairs on the fertile surface. When dried, it will appear black and shriveled.
SporesWhite
Auricularia americana (Wood Ear)

Not terribly common, but not uncommon either. These specimens are quite small. They seem to grow larger on larger pieces of wood. I’m hoping to start a culture from the specimens shown below and grow them this year on saw dust/wood shavings. If successful, photos will follow.