in botany, a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the monandria clas of plants. Of this genus there is but one species, which is a native of the West Indies, where it grows naturally in moist places. The leaves decay every winter, and are pushed out from the roots in the spring, like the ginger and maranta; so must be managed in the same manner as directed for these two plants, and may be propagated by parting the roots when the leaves decay.