or Water-Plantain: A genus of the polygynia order, belonging to the hexandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 5th order, Tetrapetaloidæ. The characters are: The calyx is a three-leaved perianthium; The corolla consists of three roundish, large, flat, expanding petals: The stamens consist of six subulate filaments shorter than the corolla; the anthers are roundish; The pistillum consists of more than five germina; the styli are simple, the stigma obtuse: The pericarpium consists of compressed capsules: The seeds are small and foliary. Of this genus there are eight Species, viz. The plantago, or great water-plantain, which grows in all the marshy parts of this country; the ranunculoides, or lesser water-plantain; the natans, or creeping water-plantain; the damasonium, or star-headed water-plantain; all which are natives of Britain. The others, viz. the flavæ, cordifolia, subulata, and parnassifolia, are natives of America, where they are generally found in stagnating waters, and other swampy places; so that it would be difficult to preserve them in Britain, for they will not live in the open open air, and they require a bog to make them thrive; but as they are plants of no great beauty or use, it is not worth while to cultivate them in this country.