ECHITES, in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 30th order, Compositæ. There are two long and straight follicles; the seeds pappous; the corolla funnel-shaped, with the throat naked. The corymbosa, a species of this genus, is supposed to yield the elastic gum according to Jaquin. See CLAUTONNUS.