It lies to the south of the larger crater Chaplygin, and to the northeast of the huge walled plain Gagarin.

The outer rim of this crater is heavily worn and eroded by subsequent meteor bombardment, particularly along the southern half, with several small and tiny craterlets lying along the rim.

The interior floor, in contrast, is relatively level and unmarked by notable impacts.

The crater was named after Dutch botanist Martinus W. Beijerinck by the IAU in 1970.

[2] By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Beijerinck.