The present paper is preliminary to a monographic treatment of the genus Lophocolea (Dum.) Dum. in Europe. The main purpose is to make the lectotypes and the new subgenus Microlophocolea (Spruce) Vogelpoel available for use in floras and other publications. The citation of herbaria is according to Holmgren & Keuken (1974). Material studied by the author is indicated by a note of exclamation (!).