Family: Lythraceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 340 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Lawsonia
Vegetable: False
Observations: NE. Trop. Africa, Arabian Pen., S. Pakistan to India
Description
The Egyptian-privet, scientifically known as Lawsonia inermis, is a versatile and historically significant plant notable for its widespread use and unique properties. Described in the esteemed botanical work ‘Species Plantarum’ in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has long been recognized for its various applications and cultural importance.
Native to Northeast Tropical Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and extending its range through South Pakistan to India, Lawsonia inermis thrives in these diverse climates. As a member of the Lythraceae family, it shares characteristics with a variety of other flora in this group, exhibiting traits that allow it to flourish in its native regions.
The Egyptian-privet is perhaps most famously known for its role in producing henna, a natural dye that has been used for centuries across different cultures for body art, hair coloring, and even medicinal purposes. The leaves of Lawsonia inermis contain lawsone, a dye molecule that bonds strongly to protein, which explains its long-lasting effects on skin and hair. Henna has been a part of rituals, celebrations, and daily life in many cultures, showcasing the plant’s enduring significance.
In addition to its uses in producing dye, Lawsonia inermis also plays a role in traditional medicine. Various parts of the plant are used in herbal remedies to treat a range of ailments, from skin conditions to digestive issues. The plant’s properties have been explored in various folk medicine traditions, highlighting its value beyond ornamental and cosmetic uses.
The Egyptian-privet exhibits a growth habit that makes it suitable for diverse landscaping and ornamental uses. It can be cultivated as a shrub or small tree, displaying dense foliage and fragrant flowers that can enhance gardens and public spaces. Its adaptability and resilience make it a favorable choice for areas with arid and semi-arid climates.
In summary, Lawsonia inermis, or the Egyptian-privet, is a plant of remarkable historical, cultural, and practical significance. Its native range across Northeast Tropical Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of South Asia underscores its adaptability and longstanding utility. From its prominent role in henna production to its applications in traditional medicine and horticulture, this plant continues to be a valuable and respected member of the botanical world.
Common Names
Eng: egyptian-privet, jamaica-mignonette, henna, mignonette-tree, camphire, egyptian privet, henna tree, mignonette tree
Deu: hennastrauch
Spa: alcana, alheña, alhena, jenna, reseda, resedón
Por: alfeneiro, hena, hésia
Ara: henna, hinná, yoranna
Swe: henna
Fra: henné, henne
Ita: alcanna vera, arbusto della henna
Ori: benjati
Mya: dan
Kan: gorante
Urd: henna, mehndri
Msa: hinna, pacar kuku
Ind: inai
Lao: kaaw
Khm: krâpéén
Vie: lá mòn, nhuôm món
Mal: mailanchi
Tam: marithondi, marudaani
Guj: medi
Ben: mehedi
Hin: mehendi, mehndi
Pan: mehndri
Mar: mendhi
San: mendika
Kas: mohuz
En: Egyptian-privet, Mignonette-tree, Henna, Jamaica-mignonette, Camphire, Egyptian Privet, Henna Tree, Mignonette Tree, Jamaica mignonette, Alcana
Am: ሂና
Ar: Henna, حناء, Hinná, Yoranna, Al henna, Al khanna, Henne
Hy: Հինա
Az: Xına
Bm: Jabi
Eu: Henna
Bn: মেহেদি, Mehedi
Br: Henne
Bg: Къна
My: ဒန်း, Dan
Ca: Alquena
Zh: 散沫花
Cs: Henna bílá
Da: Henna
Nl: Henna
Eo: Henao
Fi: Hennapensas
Fr: Henné, Henne, Reseda
De: Hennastrauch
El: Albenia
Gu: Medi
He: כופר לבן
Hi: हिना, Mehendi, Mehndi
Hu: Henna
Id: Pacar kuku, Inai
Ga: Hine
It: Alcanna Vera, Arbusto della Henna
Kn: ಗೋರಂಟಿ, Gorante
Ks: Mohuz
Kk: Qına, Қына, قىنا
Km: Krâpéén
Ko: 헤나
Lo: Kaaw
La: Cypros
Lt: Heninė lavsonija
Ms: Inai, Hinna, Pacar kuku
Ml: മൈലാഞ്ചി, Mailanchi
Gv: Camphire
Mr: मेंदी, Mendhi
Ne: मेहन्दीको बोट
No: Henna
Oc: Henna
Or: Benjati
Os: Хъни
Pa: Mehndri
Fa: حنا
Pl: Henna
Pt: Alfeneiro, Hena, Hésia, Henna
Ro: Henna
Ru: Лавсония неколючая
Sa: Mendika
Sd: ميندِي
Es: Alheña, Alcana, Kana, Alhena, Jenna, Reseda, Resedón
Sv: Henna
Zh-tw: 指甲花
Ta: மருதோன்றி, Marithondi, Marudaani
Te: గోరింట
Th: เทียนกิ่งขาว
Tr: Kına
Uk: Хна
Ur: Henna, Mehndri
Vi: Cây móng tay, Lá mòn, Nhuôm món
Synonyms
- Lawsonia falcifolia (Stokes)
- Rotantha combretoides (Baker)
- Lawsonia inermis var. spinosa ((L.) Pers.)
- Alcanna spinosa ((L.) Gaertn.)
- Casearia multiflora (Spreng.)
- Lawsonia purpurea (Lam.)
- Lawsonia alba var. miniata (Hassk.)
- Alkanna spinosa ((L.) Gaertn.)
- Lawsonia alba (Lam.)
- Lawsonia coccinea (Sm.)
- Lawsonia alba var. flavescens (Hassk.)
- Lawsonia spinosa (L.)
Distribution
- Djibouti (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- India (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Oman (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Andaman Is. (introduced)
- Aruba (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Benin (introduced)
- Burkina (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Central African Repu (introduced)
- Chad (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Ghana (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Guyana (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Iraq (introduced)
- Ivory Coast (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Laos (introduced)
- Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
- Liberia (introduced)
- Libya (introduced)
- Madagascar (introduced)
- Maldives (introduced)
- Mali (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Mauritania (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- New Guinea (introduced)
- Nicobar Is. (introduced)
- Niger (introduced)
- Nigeria (introduced)
- Palestine (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Senegal (introduced)
- Sierra Leone (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Sudan (introduced)
- Suriname (introduced)
- Tadzhikistan (introduced)
- Togo (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tunisia (introduced)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Vietnam (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
Additional Images
Bark
Taken Jan 8, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Abdulghaffar Alirezaie (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 2, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 6, 2008 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 18, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Leiticia DIMBA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Naushad BM (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Thiam Moussa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Thiam Moussa (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Geo Kolk (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Mir Rony (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Mir Rony (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Mir Rony (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Thiam Moussa (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken May 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 13, 2011 by Hasan Sabran (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Armand RAIMONE (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 25, 2019 by Ibra Touré (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Evert Jan Robberts (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 20, 2019 by Paris Dominguez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Naushad BM (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 4, 2020 by S M (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Gustave Ringo MANGA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Souleymane Abdou Mallam Yahaya (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Oct 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − S. Paulin KOURA (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sénégal ENGOUEMENT (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5420912)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:553638-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lawsonia inermis L.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub