The European wood ear mushroom is Poland’s equivalent of the mun mushroom. It owes its name to its shape and texture. In appearance and consistency, it resembles a human ear and grows mainly on old branches of elderberry bushes. The wood ear shown in the photographs in the article was found in Bolesławiec.
As we read in Wikipedia:
It develops on weakened or dead wood in forests, thickets, parks, gardens and along roads. It is most commonly found on black elder, but also grows on many other species of deciduous trees, particularly maples and alders; it is found on conifers only exceptionally. It grows throughout the year, and during mild winters it can even be found in late spring on stumps and trunks. During prolonged wet weather, it often forms entire clusters of fruiting bodies.
An edible mushroom. In Europe, it is rarely collected, while it is highly valued in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. It is an ingredient in many dishes. It is almost tasteless and is consumed because of its cartilaginous texture.
The wood ear also has medicinal properties. It has a beneficial effect on the body by activating the immune system, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antitumor, antibacterial and antiviral agent.
Wood ear mushrooms can be boiled, stewed, fried and marinated. They are an excellent addition, for example, to soups. The photograph below shows wood ear fruiting bodies combined with traditional tripe soup:
Paweł from the YouTube channel Paweł i Grzyby talks about the elder wood ear mushroom: