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}.
Henna \Hen"na\, n. [Ar. hinn[=a] alcanna ({Lawsonia inermis} syn. {Lawsonia alba}). Cf. {Alcanna}, {Alkanet}, {Orchanet}.] 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.
2. (Com.) The leaves of the henna plant, or a preparation or dyestuff made from them.