in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 41st order, Apiiflorae. The corolla is funnel-shaped; the style dichotomous or divided into two threads, and each of these divided into other two.

There are five species, of which the principal are the myxa and febeitena. 1. The myxa, or Affyrian plum, grows wild in Affyria and Egypt, and also on the coast of Malabar. It rises to the height of a middling plum-tree; and its branches are furnished with oval, woolly leaves, standing without order. The flowers are produced in bunches; are white, and consist of one tubular petal, and a like calyx, nearly of an equal length, and both are cut into five parts at their brims. In their centre are five very small stamens, and one slender style crowned with an obtuse stigma. The germen is roundish, and swells to a plum of the same form, and about the size of a damson, of a dark brown colour, a sweet taste, and very glutinous. These plums were formerly kept in the shops; and were accounted good for obviating acrimony, and thereby stopping defluxions of rheum upon the lungs; but at present they are little used for these purposes. In some parts of Turkey they cultivate this tree in great abundance, not only for the sake of the fruit to eat, but to make birdlime of, which is a vast article of trade in a town called Seid.—2. The febeitena, or rough-leaved febeiten, grows naturally in both the Indies, and sends forth shrubby stalks eight or ten feet high. The young leaves are serrated, but the full grown ones are not. They are of an oblong-oval form, rough, of a deep green on the upper side, and stand alternately on short footstalks. The flowers terminate the branches in large clusters, are nearly of the shape and colour of those of the marvel of Peru, and make a most beautiful appearance. Each has five stamens and one bifid style. The plums are much of the shape of those of the myxa, and are eaten in the same manner. The fruit of this tree is less valuable than the wood, a small piece of which thrown upon a clear fire will perfume a room with a most agreeable odour.