or PALMA CHRISTI, in botany; a genus of the monadelphia order, belonging to the monocotyledons of plants. There are three species, of which the most remarkable is the communis, or common palma Christi. This rises with an upright, strong, herbaceous, jointed stem, eight or ten feet high; having sub-palmated peltate leaves, and at the axils long spikes of whitish green flowers, succeeded by ripe seeds in autumn. Of this there are a great many varieties; all of them fine majestic plants, annual, or at most biennial, in this country; but in their native soil they are said to be perennial both in root and stem. They are propagated by seeds sown on a hotbed, and require the same treatment as other tender exotics. From the seeds of this plant is expressed an oil which in some cases is a useful purgative.