in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the hexandra class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the first order, Palmae. The calyx is a monophyllous trid spatha; the corolla monopetalous and trifid. There are two species, viz. 1. Phylliformis, or ground-ratan, a native of China; 2. Arundinacea, simple leaved rhapis, a native of Carolina.