Iron-wood: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the tetrandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 43rd order, Dumosae. The calyx is quadrilobed, the corolla tetrapetalous, and the capsule bivalved and monoecious. There are five species, all natives of the warm parts of America, rising with woody stems more than 20 feet high. They are propagated by seeds; but in this country must be kept continually in a stove.