Based on 43 taxa, the relationships of the European poroid Hymenochaetales were examined by molecular sequence data of a region of the large subunit of the nuclear-encoded ribosomal DNA. The molecular data were discussed referring to morphological and anatomical features of the fruit bodies, nuclear behaviour of the vegetative mycelium, and the pattern of reproduction. As a result, the genera Phellinus s. lat. and Inonotus s. lat. are subdivided into five subunits each. The following genera are accepted: Phellinus s. str. (P. igniarius group), Porodaedalea (P. pini group), Fomitiporia (P. robustus group), Fuscoporia (P. ferruginosus and relatives, including P. torulosus and P. wahlbergii), Phellinidium (P. ferrugineofuscus and relatives), Phylloporia (P. ribis) and Inonotus s. str. (I. hispidus and relatives), Inocutis (I. rheades group), Mensularia (I. radiatus and relatives), Pseudoinonotus gen. nov. (I. dryadeus and relatives), and Inonotopsis (I. subiculosus). Their relationships to non-European members of these groups are discussed. Onnia and Coltricia were confirmed as separate genera. Phaeolus schweinitzii was placed outside of the Hymenochaetales.