Solemya is the type genus of the family Solemyidae.

The shell valves of species in this genus are fragile and subcylindrical in shape; there are no hinge teeth.

The shell has a persistent thin periostracum which extends beyond the valve margins, hence the common name "awning clams".

These clams have chemosynthetic bacterial symbionts that produce their food.

The bacteria live within their gill cells, and produce energy by oxidizing hydrogen sulfide, which they then use to fix carbon dioxide via the Calvin cycle.