Lawsonia inermis

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Lawsonia inermis

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Lythraceae
Subfamily: Lythroideae
Genus: Lawsonia
L.[2]
Species:
L. inermis
Binomial name
Lawsonia inermis
L.
Synonyms[3]
  • Alcanna spinosa (L.) Gaertn.
  • Casearia multiflora Spreng.
  • Lawsonia alba Lam. nom. illeg.
  • Lawsonia speciosa L.
  • Lawsonia spinosa L.
  • Rotantha combretoides Baker

Lawsonia inermis, also known as hina, the henna tree, the mignonette tree, and the Egyptian privet,[4] is a flowering plant and one of the only two species of the genus Lawsonia, with the other being Lawsonia odorata. The species is named after the Scottish physician Isaac Lawson, a good friend of Linnaeus.

Description

Henna is a tall

stamens found in pairs on the rim of the calyx tube. The ovary is four-celled, 5 mm (0.20 in) long, and erect. Henna fruits are small, brownish capsules, 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in) in diameter, with 32–49 seeds per fruit, and open irregularly into four splits.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The henna plant is native to northern Africa, Asia and northern Australia, in semi-arid zones and tropical areas.[6]

Cultivation

It produces the most dye when grown in temperatures between 35 and 45 °C (95 and 113 °F).[7] During the onset of precipitation intervals, the plant grows rapidly, putting out new shoots. Growth subsequently slows. The leaves gradually yellow and fall during prolonged dry or cool intervals. It does not thrive where minimum temperatures are below 11 °C (52 °F). Temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F) will kill the henna plant.

Dye

Its dried leaves are the source of the dye henna used to dye skin, hair and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool and leather.

Image Gallery

  • Henna Flowers
    Henna Flowers
  • Henna Flowers
    Henna Flowers
  • Henna Flowers- night view
    Henna Flowers- night view
  • Henna fruits
    Henna fruits

References

  1. . Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Lawson, Isaac" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. Linnaeus dedicated the genus Lawsonia to Isaac Lawson (d. 1747).
  3. ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 23 May 2017
  4. .
  5. .
  6. ^ "henna (plant)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  7. .