in botany, a genus of the mono- Dianthus. gynia order, belonging to the diandria clas of plants, for which there is no English name.—There is only one species, a native of Virginia and other parts of North America. It is a low herbaceous plant, with a perennial root, sending out upright stalks a foot high, garnished with long narrow leaves of an aromatic odor, standing close to the stalks; from the side of the stalks the footstalks of the flowers are produced, sustaining small spikes of flowers.—This plant is very difficult to be preserved in Britain; for though it is hardy enough to live in the open air, it is very subject to rot in winter. It may be propagated by seeds sown on a gentle hotbed; and in the winter the plants must be kept in a dry stove.