# Henna (*Lawsonia inermis*)

Henna is a plant known for its vibrant red dye made from its leaves. People use henna to create beautiful temporary tattoos on their skin for celebrations and special occasions.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Desert
- **Also known as:** Henna Tree, Lawsonia, Mignonette Tree

![Henna](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/60992866/medium.jpeg)

Photo: Aravinth, bazı hakları saklıdır (CC BY), yükleyen: Aravinth, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/60992866)

## Appearance

The Henna is a large shrub or small tree with glossy, dark green leaves arranged opposite each other. It produces clusters of small, highly fragrant white to reddish flowers that bloom at the branch tips. These blossoms are tiny but stand out against the dense foliage.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Myrtales
- **Family:** Lythraceae
- **Genus:** Lawsonia

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Egyptians used henna to dye Pharaohs' hair and nails!
- Henna dye gets darker over a few days, reaching its brightest color!
- Henna paste can feel cool on your skin, like a natural air conditioner!
- The leaves don't dye skin until they are crushed and mixed with liquid!

## Special abilities

- **Cooling Pigment:** Henna has a natural dye molecule, lawsone, that stains skin and hair, which can provide a temporary cooling sensation.
- **Drought Defender:** Its tough, leathery leaves help the Henna plant conserve water in hot, dry climates, making it very resilient.
- **Fragrant Attractor:** The Henna's small, sweet-smelling flowers draw in pollinators like bees to help it reproduce.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 200-600 cm
- **Spread:** 100-300 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to early autumn
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen from flowers
- **Pollinates:** Old World Swallowtail (*Papilio machaon*) — drinks nectar from its blossoms

## Traits

- [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
- [Dye](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/dye): This human use trait indicates species from which natural dyes can be extracted and used to color textiles, food, or other materials.
- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)
- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Avoid touching henna leaves if you are unsure about allergies. Always ask an adult before using henna on your skin.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Henna?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Henna?

200-600 cm

### How wide does Henna spread?

100-300 cm

### How big are the flowers on Henna?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Henna bloom?

Summer to early autumn

### Is Henna edible?

No

### Is Henna toxic?

None

### What is Henna's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Henna: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/henna)