[6] The genus was circumscribed by František Hindák in Nova Hedwigia vol.6 (issues 1/2) on page 99 in 1963.

Koliella consists of straight or curved spindle-shaped or needle-shaped cells.

[5] Some taxonomists suggest that the difference between the two genera is too small to warrant separation, and that Koliella should be considered a synonym of Raphidonema.

[1] For example, filaments of Raphidonema often separate into single cells akin to Koliella when placed in a liquid medium.

[8] As currently defined, the genus Koliella is polyphyletic; the type species K. spiculiformis is closely related to Chlorella while other species (K. longiseta and K. sempervirens) appear to be more closely related to Stichococcus.