Alectoria is a genus of fruticose lichens belonging to the family Parmeliaceae.
The genus Alectoria was previously placed in the family Alectoriaceae, which was widely accepted as distinct from Parmeliaceae based on differences in reproductive structures such as larger asci, pigmented spores, and distinctive characteristics. However, a 1999 molecular phylogenetic study examined the relationship between Alectoriaceae and Parmeliaceae using sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Their analysis included specimens of Alectoria ochroleuca and A. sarmentosa along with various members of the Parmeliaceae. The results showed that Alectoria was derived from within the Parmeliaceae, suggesting the two families should be treated as synonyms. While previous taxonomic work had emphasised differences in ascus structure, spore size, and hamathecial characteristics to justify separating Alectoriaceae, the study concluded that these variations represented extremes within a continuous range of characters found in Parmeliaceae rather than distinct family-level differences. The authors recommended including Alectoria within a broader concept of Parmeliaceae rather than maintaining it in a separate family.