[3] Most species have narrow, localized ranges, but some Desmarestia, such as D. ligulata and D. viridis, have disjunct but global distributions.

It is thought that the family began its evolution in the Southern Hemisphere and radiated north.

These algae require colder water temperatures for the successful production of gametes.

[3] Species of the Desmarestiaceae can grow large, with the thallus, the plantlike main part of the alga, reaching maximum lengths around 10 meters.

[5] The thalli of some Desmarestia contain vacuoles of sulfuric acid with a pH as low as 0.44.