a genus of the monocotyledon order, belonging to the polygamia class of plants. The calyx is a bivalved gluma; the florets of the female are fertile, and the male florets are furnished with pedunculi; the female has no calyx; the corolla has a double valve; there is but one stylus, and one covered seed. The male has three stamens. There are three species of apluda, viz. the mutica, aritata, and zeugites, all natives of the Indies.