Lyophyllum decastes
Fried Chicken Mushroom

Taylan said:Found in Gifford Pinchot National Forest after days of heavy rain on a steep trail with spectacular views of the conifer forest. Has a huge bottom that has intermingled with lots of dirt. It was lifting large rocks like pebbles. No significant smell, the closest would be the lighter version of the Agaricus bisporus. Has adnate gills and some split into two (forking). They are all in a cluster but come apart easy when gently pulled. The bodies are like memory foam, it reverses to its original shape even if you squish hard. Stem solid. Breaks with a fibrous sound. No maggots or other imperfections. Seems to have the same genes in McDonalds fries; no signs of deterioration whatsoever in a pan at room temperature for days. Several methods to extract spores have not been successful. (All other specimens yielded spores in this same period.)

Sava said: Lyophyllum decastes seems an obvious candidate. Do you have doubts that it might be something else?

Taylan said: I have been toying with the possibility of Tricholoma acerbum too. The fried chickens I found in the past didn't have the massive bottom this cluster had. It could be due to it wanting to push through rocks. Perhaps it had to build a big base for it.

Sava said: The "massive bottom" like in your pictures is common for decastes. I don't think any Trich has this growth habit.

A picture of decastes: http://mushroomobserver.org/image/show_image/267531?obs=111794

Taylan said: Good to hear! From a culinary standpoint, does Lyophyllum decastes have any subspecies to be suspicious about?