in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the triandra clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 6th order, Enfalia. The corolla is hexapetalous; there are three nectaria, of a cruciform figure, and inserted into their proper filaments. There are ten species, all of them natives of warm climates. They are herbaceous plants, rising from two to four feet high, and adorned with blue or yellow flowers. Their culture differs in nothing from that of the common exotics.