I found Tradescantia to be named "wandering jew" (link to Wikipedia) but I can't find any etymology for Auricularia except for the fact that it's ear-shaped.
this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2025
172 points (95.3% liked)
Science Memes
17459 readers
2832 users here now
Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!
A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
This is a science community. We use the Dawkins definition of meme.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auricularia_nigricans
I can only presume.
Good find
Named because it’s black and ear-shaped. This is not the smoking gun.
https://danieljamesgreenwood.com/2019/12/13/fungifriday-december-jelly-ear/
Jelly ear once had a more derogatory or racist name. This is largely because of the Latin name (Auricularia auricula-judae) which relates to Judas Escariot and the species’s association with elder. Judas is said to have died from hanging in an elder tree but that is almost certainly impossible because it is a very soft wood. The ears are said to be a remnant of his spirit. I call it jelly ear, as do all up to date field guides.
It’s “Judas Iscariot” but the “escariot” made me think “Judas Escargot.”
So, did it used to be "Jew ear"?
Huh. Ew.
Jelly Ear is much nicer, all around.
Huh. Chinese been calling this wood ear for idk for how long. Delicious fungi.
Don't the traditionally racist depictions of Jews also include large ears?
There's a whole myth thing about the wandering jew that pops up a lot in media....
But "inch plant" is the preferred nomenclature for tradescandia.
I think so. But these are two different species, one is a flower the other is a mushroom
mushrooms are flowers
Fungi aren't flowers in the same way that human beings aren't flowers.
human beings aren't flowers
not with that mindset
Never understood why Wandering Jew would be problematic as it's simply a myth. Anyone tell me what I'm missing?
It's a myth that has been used by antisemites, culminating in use in the Nazi regime to Other the Jews (including an art exhibit and propaganda film). There have been plenty of calls from the Jewish community to get rid of the name.
Thanks!
Swede (not the vegetable) here. People with a victim complex will often take any reference to themselves that aren't universal praise, as an attack/insult. Goes double for weird ethnocults.
Swedes are delicious
"People with a victim complex"
Gee...I can't imagine why Jewish people might feel put upon. Thank God we have a Swede who really understands oppression who isn't afraid to stand up for naming plants after racist caricatures.
I've seen people update tradescantia to "Wandering Dude".