The single costate, complanate leaves with stellate median cells, and short attenuate propaguliferous branch tips are diagnostic. Sporophytes are exceptionally rare, the primary mode of reproduction and dispersion is asexual via gemmae. The relationship of this taxon within the Hookeriales is currently contested by several workers; see comments and references under the Pilotrichaceae. Adelothecium was previously placed in the Hookeriaceae, and later in its own family, the Adelotheciaceae (cf. Buck et al. 2005). Alexander Lindig was the first to collect Adelothecium in 1860 from what today are the suburbs of Bogotá, Colombia.
Adelothecium es un género monoespecífico representado por Adelothecium bogotense (Hampe) Mitt. La costa simple, hojas complanadas con células mediales estrelladas y ramas con extremos corto-atenuados propagulíferos son características diagnóstico. Los esporofitos son excepcionalmente raros, la principal forma de reproducción y dispersión es asexual por yemas. Adelothecium fue previamente localizado en Hookeriaceae y posteriormente en su propia familia.