lawsonia inermis

3 definitions found

lawsonia inermis - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Henna \Hen"na\, n. [Ar. hinn[=a] alcanna (Lawsonia inermis
     syn. Lawsonia alba). Cf. Alcanna, Alkanet, Orchanet.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Bot.) A thorny tree or shrub of the genus Lawsonia
        (Lawsonia alba). The fragrant white blossoms are used by
        the Buddhists in religious ceremonies. The powdered leaves
        furnish a red coloring matter used in the East to stain
        the nails and fingers, the manes of horses, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Com.) The leaves of the henna plant, or a preparation or
        dyestuff made from them.
        [1913 Webster]

  Lawsonia \Law*so"ni*a\, n. (Bot.)
     An Asiatic and North African shrub (Lawsonia inermis), with
     smooth oval leaves, and fragrant white flowers. Henna is
     prepared from the leaves and twigs. In England the shrub is
     called Egyptian privet, and in the West Indies, Jamaica mignonette
     .
     [1913 Webster]

  Alcanna \Al*can"na\, n. [Sp. alcana, alhe?a, fr. Ar.
     al-hinn[=a]. See Henna, and cf. Alkanet.] (Bot.)
     An oriental shrub (Lawsonia inermis) from which henna is
     obtained.
     [1913 Webster]