The genus Fenestraria (N.E. Br) is comprised of one specie and one subspecie.  The genus name is derived from the Latin word fenestra (window), fenestraria is the plural.  The plants are also known as vensterplant (window plant) and baby toes.

The plants are mat forming or they form single clumps.  The succulents leaves are borne on short succulent stems, the plant is mainly subterranean with just the tips of the leaves appearing above the soil.  Leaves are flat on top and windows are present, leaves are smooth and have a waxy layer.  Stems not present, roots thick.

Flowers appear from mid-winter to early spring.   The medium-large flowers are white to yellow, flowers may be solitary or appear in groups of up to three.  Flowers are borne on long pedicels, five sepals with membraneous margins are present, many petals occur in one to several whorls, many stamens, fine stigmas spread up from the center of the flower.   Seed pods are 8-16 locular, closing bodies ands covering membranes present, seeds are cone-shaped, whitish-brown in colour.

Plants are found from Luderitz in Namibia to Namaqualand in the Northern Cape, plants prefer areas with sandy or calciferous soils.  The plants occur in a winter-rainfall area of 100mm or less.