in botany: A genus of the monogyria order, belong to the pentandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 47th order, Stellate. The corolla is small, tubulated, and monocalous. The pericarpium is a globular berry, grooved longitudinally; is quinquilocular, and contains one seed. Of this there are five species, all natives of the warmer parts of America, viz. 1. Officinalis: the natives of Guiana make infusions of the leaves, and give them in cases of spasmodic asthma. 2. Racemosa. 3. Violacea. 4. Lutea. 5. Paniculata. 6. Longiflora. The habit of all these plants resembles those of Pitychria.