[2] It is differentiated from the similar genus Candelaria by its unique features such as eight-spored asci and absence of a lower cortical layer and true rhizines.

Its name is derived from an anagram of the generic name Poeltia, which pays homage to Josef Poelt (1924–1995), a significant figure in the history of lichenology and a co-author of the type species of this genus.

Opeltiella shares a relationship with Candelaria based on multigene molecular phylogenetics data but is distinguished by its unique features such as the lack of a lower cortical layer and true rhizines.

[3] Multigene phylogeny data supports Opeltiella as a robust, distinct monophyletic branch, positioned separately from Candelaria, which only includes polyspored species with well-developed lower cortical layers and true rhizines.

In the phylogeny derived from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequences, Opeltiella occupies a sister position to the 'Candelariella' placodizans group.