Was walking along and thought I found a brain on the ground

Title says it all.

     "Although potentially fatal if eaten raw, Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America. Although popular in some districts of the eastern Pyrenees, it is prohibited from sale to the public in Spain. It may be sold fresh in Finland, but it must be accompanied by warnings and instructions on correct preparation. "- Wiki Gyromitra Esculenta

Burl Smith wrote:      "Although potentially fatal if eaten raw, Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America. Although popular in some districts of the eastern Pyrenees, it is prohibited from sale to the public in Spain. It may be sold fresh in Finland, but it must be accompanied by warnings and instructions on correct preparation. "- Wiki Gyromitra Esculenta

Is it really Brain Mushroom? I looked it up before posting and some of the pics look quite different. Gyromitra esculenta seems to be darker with stalk, and much smaller. This is just a hemispherical blob the size and shape of a human brain.

It's one of the Sparassis  or cauliflower fungi. I'm not well versed on American versions but I would take a stab at Sparassis spathulata it does look a bit thicker than most of the other photos I can see so I wouldn't be 100% sure.

100% cauliflower. One of the most highly sought after species by mushroom hunters in the US, but often the folds contain lots of dirt so rinse well.

Thank you all! I may try to find more. I didn't taste this one, not knowing what it was. I really need to learn more about mushrooms. It was quite clean and would have been a good one. It was growing at the base of a loblolly pine in a rather sheltered area.