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Lawsonia inermis

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Lawsonia inermis

Family Name: Lythraceae
Synonyms: Lawsonia alba
Common Name: Henna Tree, Inai, Hinai, Mignonette Tree, Egyptian Privet, Hinna, Pacar Kuku, 指甲花, 散沫花

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 2.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution North Africa, Southwest Asia
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Ethnobotanical Uses Medicinal: Henna a well known ethnomedicinal plant used cosmetically and medicinally in the Indian traditional folk medicines for thousand years. Root is used as abortifacient, to treat leprosy, skin diseases, dysmenorrhoea and premature greying of hair. The leaves are used as an astringent or as a prophylactic against skin diseases and the bark is useful in the treatment of jaundice, enlargement of the spleen, calculus affection ans skin diseases(Anand et al, 1992).
Others: The leaves of the henna plant are the source of red-brown dye widely used for body art. The paste of ground leaves has been used to color skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool. The flowers and fruits are used in perfumery.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Fragrant (Flowers)
Landscape Uses General, Suitable for Roadsides, Container Planting
Usage Hazard - Cons Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Little Water, [Remarks] (Constantly moist soil will suffer from root rot and disease affection. Let henna plant's soil get dry, then give it plenty of water all at once.)
Plant Growth Rate Fast to Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting
Seed / Spore Germination Duration 14 days to 21 days
Seed / Spore Germination Rate 70%

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) White, Cream / Off-White
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 895
Species ID 2189
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 10 December 2021.
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