A vast eco-morphological group of higher basidiomycete fungi characterized by a non-lamellate hymenophore. The name 'Aphyllophorales' derives from the Latin word 'aphyllophora', which literally translates as 'non-lamellate' (or 'without gills'). Historically, these fungi were considered a single taxonomic order; however, it has now been proven that this group is polyphyletic. It includes representatives from a wide variety of basidiomycete orders (Polyporales, Thelephorales, Hymenochaetales, etc.).
