Basidiocarps (fruitbodies) are gelatinous, ear-like, and grow on dead wood of broadleaf trees.

It is a North American species and was formerly confused with Auricularia auricula-judae which is confined to Europe.

[3] In North America, Auricularia americana is almost identical but grows on conifer wood.

[2][3] On wood of broadleaf trees, Auricularia fuscosuccinea occurs in southern North America and typically has cinnamon-brown to purplish-brown fruitbodies.

[1] Auricularia angiospermarum is a wood-rotting species, typically found on dead attached or fallen wood of broadleaf trees.