The subfamily comprises about 180 species of shrubs, subshrubs and herbs,[1] found throughout arid parts of the Palaeotropics and into North and South America.

[5][6] An alternative proposed in 2003 is to recognize six monophyletic genera (Augea, Fagonia, Melocarpum, Roepera, Tetraena, and Zygophyllum).

[1] Roepera Zygophyllum (includes Miltianthus) Tetraena Augea Fagonia Melocarpum Sheahan in 2006 did not fully support the recognition of six genera within the Zygophylloideae.

Roepera orbiculata) Zygophyllum (in two subgenera) Members of the subfamily Zygophylloideae are generally adapted to arid conditions.

[9] In the broad circumscription used by, for example, Plants of the World Online, the genus Zygophyllum extends into North and South America.