Shhhh! The trees are listening!

We had a copious amount rain last night (along with high winds, lightning and hail!). It was one of those wild nights on the Bayou that I write about often. The ones where I sit and stare out over the Bay just so I can enjoy the light show regardless of the deafening racket of the rain and hailstones that pelt the rooftop. This morning..another thunderstorm and then just heavily overcast for the remainder of the day. A good day to stay inside as much as possible.

I did venture out with the dogs several times and tried to pick up a few of the limbs that had been knocked from the trees. One such limb was from the Black Gum Tree. This tree had been so damaged during recent hurricanes that it has numerous dead or dying limbs. As Son and I were grabbing limbs to toss on the trash pile, I heard a low murmured.."ugh". Wondering what was wrong, I turned to see him wiping his hand on his jeans. Looking at him questioningly, he merely pointed at the limb and the "Tree Ears" or "Wood Ears". Tree Ears are one of several types of "Jelly Fungi" that grow on dead tree branches. Most of the time, they are dark brown, dry growths that are often overlooked but when it rains, they absorb the water and become jelly-like. The Tree Ears were quite slimy from the rains and when he picked up the limb, that slime elicited the "ugh" remark! They are called Tree Ears not because they help trees hear but simply because when they are water-laden they sort of have the shape of an ear! Even though the Tree Ears grow on branches, they are not a parasite since they only live on dead wood. They do not do damage other than occasionally when they become so heavy-laden with water, their branch will crash from the tree. This branch might smack some unsuspecting passerby causing him much pain from the limb and much "ick" factor from being slimed with an ooey-gooey fungi!

The Tree Ears, as unappetizing as they appear to me, are edible and in some places are considered a delicacy. Ummmm...nope...not here on the Bayou! (At least, yet! I might be tempted some day to try them once I get over the wiggly part of their jelly state! I don't even like Jello!) They are added to soups, salads, stir-fried dishes and casseroles. I am assuming that something happens to that squishiness to make them more appealing! Tree Ear Soup....Yum! Would you like to join me? I am more interested in the medicinal aspects of the fungi. It is said that in Asia, these wiggly things are used to improve breathing and circulation. Also, there are studies being done to see if certain chemicals in the Tree Ear can inhibit blood clotting. I am a firm believer that some of the most overlooked things in our world can be used in the medical profession to help conquer certain diseases. Tree Ear Fungus might just be one of those remarkable things!