Lawsonia inermis

Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, standing . 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 calyx tube, with 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, long, and erect. Henna fruits are small, brownish capsules, in diameter, with 32–49 seeds per fruit, and open irregularly into four splits. == Distribution and habitat ==

The henna plant is native to northern and eastern Africa, Asia and northern Australia, in semi-arid zones and tropical areas. == Cultivation ==

It produces the most dye when grown in temperatures between . 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 . Temperatures below 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. To make dye, only the leaves that grow in the lower part of the plant are taken, otherwise their coloring capacity will be too great. Said leaves also have antifungal and antiseptic properties. ==Image gallery==

File:Lawsonia inermis henna Egyptian privet Vijayanrajapuram 01.jpg|Henna flowers File:Lawsonia inermis henna Egyptian privet Vijayanrajapuram 02.jpg|Henna flowers File:Lawsonia inermis henna Egyptian privet Vijayanrajapuram 05.jpg|Henna flowers- night view File:Lawsonia inermis henna Egyptian privet Vijayanrajapuram 07.jpg|Henna fruits ==References==