in botany, a genus of the syngenesia polygamia superflua clas. The receptacle is naked; the pappus is simple; and the antheræ terminate at the base in two bristles. There are 22 species, 4 of them natives of Britain, viz. the helelenium, or elecampane; the dysenterica, or middle flea-bane; the pulicaria, or small flea-bane; and the erithmoides, or golden samphire. The root of the elecampane is said to excite urine, and loosen the belly.