Fenestraria (known as babies' toes)[
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Description
The only species currently recognised in this genus is Fenestraria rhopalophylla.
Each leaf has an epidermal window, a transparent window-like area, at its rounded tip, it is for these window-like structures that the genus is named (Latin: fenestra).
Fenestraria rhopalophylla appears very similar to Frithia pulchra, though the leaves are a slightly different shape and F. rhopalophylla has yellow flowers, compared to the pink flowers of F. pulchra.
Distribution and habitat
In the wild, the plant commonly grows under sand, except for the transparent tips, which allow light into the leaves for photosynthesis.
The plant produces optical fibers made from crystalline oxalic acid
Fenestraria rhopalophylla is native to Namaqualand in southern Africa and to Namibia. The plants generally grow in sandy or calciferous soils under low < 100 mm rainfall, that occurs in the winter.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are accepted.[
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F. rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla – with white flowers in autumn; native to Namibia
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F. rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca (synonym F. aurantiaca ) – with yellow flowers; native to Namibia and the northwestern Cape Provinces
