in botany: A genus of the polyandria order, belonging to the monodelphia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 37th order, Columiferae. The calyx is quinquepartite; the corolla consists of five oblong spreading petals. The filaments are about 15, which unite towards the base into a tube. The style is cylindrical; the capsule is oval, woody, and quinquelocular, each of which are bivalved, containing many oblong, compressed, and winged seeds. There is only one species, viz. the Pentapetela, a native of the East Indies; the wood of which is very hard, and very like that of the holly-tree.