The family Auriculariaceae, in the order Auriculariales, is a group of fungi commonly known as jelly fungi due to their gelatinous, often ear-shaped fruiting bodies. Members of this family are mostly saprotrophic, growing on dead wood and playing an important role in the decomposition of lignin and cellulose. They display a wide range of colors and textures, from smooth and translucent to wrinkled and rubbery, and some species, such as Auricularia auricula-judae (commonly called “wood ear”), are edible and used in culinary dishes. Auriculariaceae fungi are distributed globally, particularly in temperate and tropical forests, and contribute significantly to forest nutrient cycling.