The type of Phoma herbarum is selected and the characteristics of the species are redescribed from recently isolated material. Synonyms of this ubiquitous saprophytic fungus are inter alia: Phoma urticae S. Schulz. & Sacc., Phoma oleracea Sacc., Phoma violacea (Bertel) Eveleigh (described from paint), Phoma hibernica Grimes & al. (described from butter), and Phoma lignicola Rennerfelt (described from wood).