in botany: A genus of the angiosperma order, belonging to the didynamia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 40th order, Perforanite. The calyx is quinquepartite; the rudiment of a fifth filament among the highest stamina, the capsule bilocular. There are three species, viz. the Glabra, the Hiruta, and the Pendemon. They are natives of North America; and are herbaceous flowery perennials, with upright stalks two feet high, decorated with spear-shaped leaves, and beautiful spikes of monopetalous, ringent flowers, red, rose-coloured, blue, and purple. They flower from September to November, and are sometimes succeeded by ripe seeds in this country. They are very hardy plants, and may be propagated by seeds sown in any soil or situation; but the two first multiply so fast by their creeping roots, that the seeds are seldom regarded.