in botany; A genus of the monogynia order belonging to the hexandria clas of plants; and, in the natural method, ranking under the 11th order, Sarmentaceae. The characters are: There is no calyx; The corolla is nearly bilabiate; and consists of six petals, the two inferior tubular at the base; The stamens consist of six subulate filaments, declining and unequal; the anthers oblong; The pistillum has an hexangular germen beneath; the stylos declining, filiform, the length of the stamens; and three oblong bifid stigmae; The pericarpium is a roundish hexangular capsule, with three cells and three valves; The seeds are globular and numerous. There are five species, natives of Italy and Peru.