The order Hymenochaetales is a group of fungi within the class Agaricomycetes, primarily known for their wood-decaying capabilities. Members of this order are mostly saprotrophic, breaking down lignin and cellulose in dead or living trees, though some are pathogenic. They typically form tough, woody, or crust-like fruiting bodies, often on the surfaces of trees and logs. Many species produce characteristic brown rot or white rot, contributing significantly to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Hymenochaetales includes important genera such as Phellinus, Inonotus, and Hymenochaete, some of which are also studied for medicinal compounds or their role in forest health.