Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA provides evidence that Cellulomonas cellulans branches outside the phylogenetic confines of the genus Cellulomonas. The distinct phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic status of Cellulomonas cellulans as a phylogenetic neighbour of the genus Promicromonospora, justifies the description of a new genus for which the name Cellulosimicrobium gen. nov. with the type species Cellulosimicrobium cellulans comb. nov. is proposed.