The genus Phyllobolus is placed in the Mesembryanthemaceae family. These succulents are widespread from southern Namibia across the Western, Eastern, and Northern Cape Provinces and the Free State of South Africa. The genus name is derived from the Greek word phyllon which means leaf and from the Latin word bolus which means to throw or cast, referring to the deciduous leaves of some species. Most species of Phyllobolus have conspicuous water cells much like Mesembryanthemum. They are winter-growing mesemb caudiciforms and are deciduous, even shedding stems, in summer. The plants are propagated by seed or careful division. Plants have distinct growing and resting periods. The growing period starts after the winter rainy season. During the resting period the leaves dry away completely. During this period the plants should be kept dry.

Phyllobolus digitatus previously known as Datylopsis digitata and commonly known as Vingerkanna (finger mesemb) and Vingertjie-en-Duimpie (finger and thumb) is a relatively rare species. In the USA it is commonly known as the hitchhiker plant. Phyllobolus digitatus lack the conspicuous water cells and their surfaces are more or less smooth. It is not only indigenous to South Africa it is also endemic to this country where it is found in the Western Cape Province.