Lawsonia inermis is a shrub or small tree 2-6 m in height, which may be spiny. it has small white fragrant flower. Birds feed on the fruit. An orange-red dye is made by crushing the leaves and younger shoots. The fragrant flowers are used as perfume, while small twigs are used as toothbrushes in Indonesia. The shrub is drought and heat resistant. Prefers sandy soil. Used as hedge or mass plantation. Little pruning needed and not suceptible to pests and diseases.