Was the time of year Autumn? Do you remember whether the tree was a hardwood or softwood?
(When I first started looking for mushrooms, I found what my neighbor said was a giant rare form of chanterelle. We cooked it and both my husband and I each stabbed a fork into the frying pan and stuck a piece in our mouth. He spit his out immediately due to poor taste. I attempted to do the same but a small bit slipped down my throat. My throat began to get numb and feel like it was closing up. I ended up at the ER where I drank a pint of liquid charcoal. Turns out it was a Jack-O-Lantern mushroom which in rather small quantities will kill you. I was fine, though. Never asked an opinion again. Learned about mushrooms myself and only eat them when I am totally certain what they are.)
The panellus you referred to is not it. This was at least 5 or 6 inches in the longest dimension that grew up along the dead tree. It was a hardwood tree. There was no stalk and cap. There was just a place where it attached to the tree. It was very meaty and very nice.
Okay, I think
this is it. Only it's not grey. Well, maybe my memory has faded to grey. Anyway, it's "the Oyster ( Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms, also known as Elephant Ears." They say that it can be found all year (well, probably not
all year in Illinois...ha ha ha) but that the fall ones can get as large as a dinner plate. They can also have a varied appearance. On the same page they describe the hedgehog mushroom and say that it can't be mistaken for anything poisonous and is very delicious. Have you ever had one of these?
