半日花科共包括8属约170-200余种，主要分布在北温带气候干旱、阳光比较强烈的地区，如地中海沿岸、北美，也有少数种分布在南美。中国只有一属一种—半日花（Helianthemum polifolium DC.），主要分布在**、内蒙一带。

本科植物大部分为灌木或亚灌木，也有部分种为草本，被有星状毛；单叶对生或有时互生；花两性，辐射对称，花瓣5，偶有3，花开放的时间很短就凋谢，因此得名；果实为蒴果。

本科植物由于对土壤要求不高，被广泛种植在园林中。其根常有块菌共生，因也常被欧洲人用来培植块菰。有的品种也可以提炼香精。

The Cistaceae are a small family of plants (rock-rose or rock rose family) known for their beautiful shrubs, which are profusely covered by flowers at the time of blossom. This family consists of about 170-200 species in eight genera, distributed primarily in the temperate areas of Europe and the Mediterranean basin, but also found in North America; a limited number of species are found in South America. Most Cistaceae are subshrubs and low shrubs, and some are herbaceous. They prefer dry and sunny habitats. Cistaceae grow well on poor soils, and many of them are cultivated in gardens.