IXIA, in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the triandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 6th order, Enfate. The corolla is hexapetalous, patent, and equal; there are three stigmata a little upright and petalous. There are several species, consisting of herbaceous, tuberous, and bulbous-rooted flowery perennials, from one to two feet high, terminated by hexapetalous flowers of different colours. They are propagated by off-shoots, which should be taken off in summer at the decay of the leaves; but as all the plants of this genus are natives of warm climates, few of them can bear the open air of this country in winter.