in botany: A genus of the dodecaandra order, belonging to the dioecia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 54th order, Miscellanea. The male calyx is pentaphyllous; there is no corolla; the anthers are fertile, long, and 15 in number. The female calyx is bidentated; no corolla; the styles three; the capsule triangular, three-horned, unilocular, pervious, polyspermous, inferior.