botany: A genus of the trigynia order, belonging to the oecandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 39th order, Tribilatae. The calyx is tetraphyllous, the petals four, the nectarium tetraphyllous and unequal; the capsules three, grown together, and inflated. There are two species, both natives of the East and West Indies; but have no great beauty, or any other remarkable property.