Close relationship between the Sphaerophoraceae and Austropeltum and Neophyllis, is established by phylogenetic analysis of nuclear SSU rDNA sequences, including newly produced sequences of Austropeltum glareosum, Neophyllis melacarpa and Sphaerophorus globosus. Anatomical, chemical, and ontogenetical characters, and support for this relationship, are discussed, as is the suitability of the nuclear SSU rRNA gene for phylogenetic analyses at this taxonomic level. The analysis gives no support for regarding Austropeltum (presently classified in the Stereocaulaceae) and Neophyllis (presently in the Cladoniaceae) to be closely related to either Stereocaulon ramulosum and Pilophorus acicularis (Stereocaulaceae), or Cladonia bellidiflora (Cladoniaceae), and it is pointed out that the delimitation of all three families needs further investigation. The homology of podetial and pseudopodetial structures is discussed.