in botany: A genus of the polyandra order, belonging to the dioecia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 38th order, Tricoccce. The male calyx is triphyllous; no corolla; the stamens near 30 in number; the female calyx is triphyllous, superior to the receptacle of the fruit; no corolla; two styles; with a bilocular capsule; and a single seed. There are three species, all of them natives of Africa; so require to be kept in a green-house when cultivated in this country. Their flowers make no great appearance; but the plants themselves are very ornamental evergreens. They grow to the height of four or five feet; and are propagated by cuttings, which must be young shoots of five or six inches length. If these are planted in pots in spring or summer, and plunged in a hot bed, they will readily take root. They must be watered plentifully in summer, but very sparingly in winter.