In lack of other markers for the great majority of taxa the current phylogenies of Xylariales are primarily based on rDNA sequence data, and resolution of these phylogenies is simply insufficient to allow far-reaching subdivisions into formal higher taxa (Fig. 1). A subgrouping also appears inappropriate, because the Sporocadaceae obviously represent a natural grouping, which has the following common basis: (most) asexual morph genera are acervular coelomycetes with the same type of conidiogenesis and conidium, the latter only differing in colour (hyaline, pale or dark brown), septation (phragmo- or dictyosporous) and the number, orientation and type of appendages (exogenous/cellular or endogenous/cell elongation, branched/unbranched).