M.G. Gilbert & M. Thulin (1993) Lythraceae 1: 194-198
Plants shrubs or small trees, all parts glabrous. Inflorescences dense terminal panicles. Flowers 4-merous; hypanthia present, shorter than the sepals; sepals without 'horns"' petals present; stamens usually 4 or 4 pairs, rarely 9-12, opposite the sepals, all equal, exserted; ovaries sessile, subglobose, 2-4-celled; styles persistent, longer than the stamens; stigmas capitate. Fruits depressed-globose, indehsicent or breaking up irregularly; seeds many, subtetrahedral.
Lawsonia includes only one species, Lawsonia inermis. It grows throughout the Old World Tropics and is often grown as a dye plant.