in botany: A genus of the polyandra order, belonging to the polyadelphia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 37th order, Colummifera. The exterior calyx is double and trilobed; the arilli or seed coats are very many and monospermous. There are several species, most of them herbaceous flowery annuals, or shrubby perennials, growing erect from two or three to eight or ten feet high, garnished with large roundish, heart-shaped, and angular leaves, and quinquepatalous flowers of the mallow kind. They are easily propagated by seed in the open ground in the spring; and thrive best when sown where they are designed to remain. The lavatera tribe affect a warm sandy situation and soil, in which they will sometimes continue to exhibit their beauties for many years; but in general they are short-lived, continuing only two or three years: this renders them peculiarly eligible to be scattered plentifully in a newly made shrubbery; they will add warmth to young plants, and will die away themselves before the spaces they occupy will be required by the surrounding shrubs.