Bot. [a. Sp. alcana, alcaña, a. Arab. al-ḥennā, name of the shrub. See also HENNA and ALKANET.] The oriental shrub, Egyptian Privet (Lawsonia inermis, N.O. Lythraceæ), or its leaves and young shoots, used by eastern nations to dye parts of the body reddish orange; henna.
1625. Hart, Anat. Ur., II. v. 81. If any annoint his bodie with the iuyce of the berries of the hearbe Halcana.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Epid., 383. Alcanna being greene, will suddenly infect the nailes and other parts with a durable red.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., From the berries of alcana an oil is extracted of a very agreeable smell.
¶ Alkanna is in mod. Botany the generic name of the Alkanet (formerly Anchusa tinctoria).
