Lytheraceae

Native: North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of southern Asia

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Myrtales

Family: Lythraceae

Common Names

English – Henna Tree

Malayalam – മയിലാഞ്ചി

Description: A large, evergreen shrub or small tree with dense branches that reaches a height of about 8m. Leaves are simple and opposite. Flowers in terminal cymose panicles. Flowers sweet-scented, creamy white in terminal panicle inflorescence. Fruit a small globose berry. 

Distribution:  All throughout the world.

Uses: Used as a dye for skin, hair, and fingernails, as well as fabrics—silk, wool, and leather. It has purgatives, abortifacient and astringent properties.