The name Prenia is derived from the Greek word prenes (prostrate), referring to the creeping habit of the plants. Prenia is found in the karroid areas of the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa, and in southern Namibia. Species are distributed throughout the winter rainfall area, as well as in some of the drier western parts of the summer rainfall region. The plants flower from spring through summer to autumn. The flowers open as soon as the sun rises.

Prenia pallens is a South African endemic species from the Western Cape Province. It is also synonymously known as Mesembryanthemum fastigiatum var. pallens, Mesembryanthemum longistylum var. purpurascens, Mesembryanthemum loratum, Mesembryanthemum pallens, Mesembryanthemum pallescens, Mesembryanthemum relaxatum, Phyllobolus pallens, Platythyra pallens, Platythyra relaxata and Prenia relaxata. It grows into a prostrate succulent plant with flattened leaves with pink flowers with white centres.