The genus <i>Phellodon</i> (<i>Thelephorales</i>, <i>Basidiomycota</i>) in Europe: Four new species, one new combination, four new typifications and a first European record

<i>Phellodon</i> is a globally distributed genus of stipitate hydnoid fungi recognised by a white spore print and an ectomycorrhizal life strategy. In Europe, many <i>Phellodon</i> species have declining populations and are used as indicators of forests with high conservation values. However, their use in this context and the correct assessment of their extinction risk, according to IUCN guidelines, are currently hampered by inconsistent name usage and unclear species delimitations, primarily within the species complexes of <i>P. melaleucus, P. niger</i> and <i>P. tomentosus</i>. We analysed 286 ITS sequences of <i>Phellodon</i>, of which 51 were also analysed in conjunction with the corresponding LSU regions. This work included 102 newly sequenced collections, primarily sourced from Sweden and the UK. Our phylogenetic results show that four species are new to science and hence we formally describe <i>P. castaneoleucus</i> within the <i>P. melaleucus</i> morphological complex, <i>P. aquiloniniger</i> and <i>P. frondosoniger</i> within the <i>P. niger</i> complex and <i>P. dititomentosus</i> as a sister species to <i>P. tomentosus</i>. The combination <i>P. melilotinus</i> is made to accommodate an additional, previously described, species that belongs in the <i>P. niger</i> complex. We designate lectotypes and epitypes for <i>P. melaleucus, P. niger</i> and <i>P. tomentosus</i> as well as an epitype for <i>P. melilotinus</i>. <i>Phellodon ellisianus</i> is recorded as new to Europe and the ecological amplitude of <i>P. secretus</i> and <i>P. violaceus</i> is revealed to be wider than previously believed. We provide a key to all 13 species currently known in Europe and assign them to three habitat-based assemblages based on data from the Nordic countries and the UK. We hope this will facilitate the assessment of such habitats for legal protection and other conservation-related actions. <b>Citation:</b> Svantesson S, Larsson E, Larsson K-H, Parfitt D, Suz LM, Ainsworth AM (2025). The genus <i>Phellodon</i> (<i>Thelephorales, Basidiomycota</i>) in Europe: Four new species, one new combination, four new typifications and a first European record. <i>Fungal Systematics and Evolution</i> <b>15</b>: 1-45. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2025.15.01.