The family was described in 1897 by the Swedish botanist and mycologist Hans Oscar Juel to accommodate species of fungi producing basidiocarps (fruit bodies) having distinctive basidia with grossly swollen sterigmata.

[3] Molecular research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, has confirmed the Tulasnellaceae as distinct, but has placed the family within the Cantharellales, close to the Ceratobasidiaceae.

[5] All but one of the species within the family form smooth, effused, corticioid basidiocarps that are distinguished microscopically by their distinctive "tulasnelloid" basidia.

The monotypic genus Stilbotulasnella forms basidiocarps with similar basidia, but with an erect, "stilboid" anamorph.

[6] Basidiocarps of the Tulasnellaceae are typically found in woodland, on the underside of fallen wood or in leaf litter.