丝粉藻科共有5属16种，都是生活在暖温带到热带海洋中的咸水生植物，在澳洲附近尤其繁盛。中国南方海域有3属几种分布。

1981年的克朗奎斯特分类法将其列入茨藻目，1998年根据基因亲缘关系分类的APG 分类法认为应该归入泽泻目。

Cymodoceaceae is a family of flowering plants, sometimes known as the "manatee-grass family", the family Cymodoceaceae includes only marine species. Many taxonomists have not recognized this family.

The APG II system, of 2003 (unchanged from the APG system, of 1998), does recognize Cymodoceaceae and places it in the order Alismatales, in the clade monocots. The family includes five genera, totalling 16 species of marine plants occurring in tropical seas and oceans (so-called seagrasses).