In most genera, scarious wings develop at the outside of the fruiting perianth, allowing for dispersal by the wind (anemochory).

The area with most species (center of diversity) are the deserts and semideserts of Central-Asia and the Middle East.

Distribution of the subfamily extends to the Mediterranean, to Middle-Europe, north and south Africa, and Australia, some species have also been introduced to America.

Many species grow in dry habitats (xerophytes) or tolerate salty soils (halophytes), some are ruderals.

[1] The type genus of subfamily Salsoloideae is Salsola L. According to recent research, the former classification did not reflect the phylogenetic relationship, so that the subfamily had to be reclassified; it is now split in two tribes, Caroxyleae and Salsoleae (in the strict sense).