in botany: A genus of the monandra order, belonging to the monocota class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 34th order, Cucurbitaceae. There is no male calyx; the corolla is laver-shaped; there is no female calyx; the corolla laver-shaped; the capsule inferior, unilocular, and bivalved.

in pharmacy, a violently purgative. ELC