in botany: A genus of the monogyne order, belonging to the monandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 8th order, Scitamineae. The characters are: The calyx is a perianthium above, small, and trid: The corolla is monopetalous, unequal, and as if doubled: The stamina consist of one filament, with linear antheræ joining to the margin: The pistillum has a roundish germen, beneath; the stylus simple, and the stigma obtuse trigonous: The pericarpium is a fleshy ovate trilocular capsule, with three valves: The seeds are ovate, and very numerous; the receptaculum is pulpy and very large. Of this genus there is but one species, which is a native of the West Indies, where it grows naturally in moist places. The leaves decay every winter, and are pushed out from the roots in the spring, like the ginger and maranta; so must be managed in the same manner as directed for these two plants, and may be propagated by parting the roots when the leaves decay.