Lawsonia inermis
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 shrub or small tree, standing 1.8 to 7.6 m tall (6 to 25 ft). It is glabrous and multi-branched, with spine-tipped branchlets. The leaves grow opposite each other on the stem. They are glabrous, sub-sessile, elliptical, and lanceolate (long and wider in the middle; average dimensions are 1.5–5.0 cm x 0.5–2 cm or .6–2 in x 0.2–0.8 in), acuminate (tapering to a long point), and have depressed veins on the dorsal surface. Henna flowers have four sepals and a 2 mm (0.079 in) calyx tube, with 3 mm (0.12 in) spread lobes. Its petals are ovate, with white or red 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

It is the source of the dye henna used to dye skin, hair and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool and leather.

References

  1. ↑ Plummer, J. (2020). "Lawsonia inermis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T138450837A149445045. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T138450837A149445045.en. 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. ↑ Bailey, L.H.; Bailey, E.Z. (1976). Hortus Third: A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 978-0025054707.
  5. ↑ Kumar S.; Singh Y. V. & Singh, M. (2005). "Agro-History, Uses, Ecology and Distribution of Henna (Lawsonia inermis L. syn. Alba Lam)". Henna: Cultivation, Improvement, and Trade. Jodhpur: Central Arid Zone Research Institute. pp. 11–12. OCLC 124036118.
  6. ↑ "henna (plant)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  7. ↑ Bechtold, Thomas; Mussak, Rita (6 April 2009). Handbook of Natural Colorants. John Wiley & Sons. p. 155. ISBN 9780470744963.
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