蒺藜科只有30属大约250种，主要分布在热带、亚热带、温带的干旱地区，中国有5属，主要分布在西北和北方较干旱地区。克朗奎斯特分类法将其分入无患子目，但2003年根据基因分类的APG II 分类法没有将其分入任何一目，只是I类真蔷薇分支中的一个独立科，也可以单独列为一个“蒺藜目”，刺球果科也可以单独列为一科也可和蒺藜科合并。

本科植物一般为灌木，也有少数是乔木或多年生草本植物，叶为两个至多数的羽状复叶，托叶成对；花两性，雄蕊花丝基部有鳞状附属物；果实为蒴果，稀为浆果或核果。

本科植物多数是重要的防风固沙植物，有的品种种子可榨取工业用油或提取染料。

The Zygophyllales are an order of dicotyledon plants, comprising the following two families:

According to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG II) both families are unplaced to order, but nevertheless included in the Eurosids I. The APG III system of 2009, however, recognized this order. Even if the monogeneric family Krameriaceae shares little common traits with the family Zygophyllaceae, researchers see little advantage in keeping it as a separate family (e.g. Sheahan and Chase). The name Zygophyllales can be used if one finds it appropriate to place both families into an order.