Neobarbella was treated as a distinct genus in the Lembophyllaceae by Noguchi and Iwatsuki (1989). It has also been considered a synonym of Isotheciopsis Broth. (Tan et al. 1992). It is treated here as an independent genus with one species and one variety, with both taxa found mainly from tropical and subtropical mountain regions. Three species were recognized by J.-X. Luo (1989). In this flora, N. serratiacuta J.-X. Luo is treated as synonym and N. pilifera (Broth. & M. Yasuda) Nog. as a variety of N. comes (Griff.) Nog.