Phalium

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Phalium, commonly known as bonnet shells, is a genus of large sea snails in the family Cassidae, which also includes helmet shells. They are marine gastropods in the subfamily Phaliinae.

Taxonomy (simplified)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Gastropoda
- Subclass: Caenogastropoda
- Order: Littorinimorpha
- Superfamily: Tonnoidea
- Family: Cassidae
- Genus: Phalium (Link, 1807)

Type species: Buccinum glaucum Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms: Bezoardica, Bezoardicella, Cassis (Bezoardica)

About classification
- The idea of which species belong to Phalium has varied over time. Some scientists included many related species, while others restricted it.
- Today, many taxonomists place in Phalium those species with varices (growth ridges) along the spire and with spines on the outer edge of the terminal varix.
- Species with mainly spiral sculpture and only a terminal varix without spines are usually placed in Semicassis.
- The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) lists the species currently recognized as valid members of Phalium.