in botany: a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the tetrandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 48th order, Aggregate. The characters are: The common calyx is oblong, simple, three-flowered, five-parted, and persistent; the proper one, obscure, above: The proper corolla is monopetalous and funnel-shaped; the mouth quinquifid and erect: The stamens consist of four bract filaments, longer than the corolla, and bending to one side; the antherae are roundish: The pistillum has an oblong germen beneath; the stylus is bractly, and longer than the stamens; the stigmae are multifid and linear: There is no pericarpium: The seeds are foliary, oblong, and naked: The receptaculum is naked. There are two species, the violacea and incarnata, both natives of America.