Maile

Maile, Alyxia oliviformis Gaud., is an endemic species of the family Apocynaceae. It grows wild as a straggling or twining vine in the cool depths of the lower and middle mountain regions. Its leaves are smooth, leathery and shiny. The whole plant contains "coumarin" which imparts the pleasant fragrance when the leaves are crushed. The small, yellowish flowers most often appear in groups of three in the leaf axils, followed by tiny, black, ovoid drupes with seeds. This maile species is very variable in its form and leaf shape, texture and size. These variations were recognized by the Hawaiians by using local names for each type, such as: maile ha`i wale for brittle maile; maile lau li`i for small-leaf maile; maile lau nui for big-leaf maile ; maile kaluhea for sweet maile; and maile pakaha for blunt-leaf maile. It is also variable in its habitat preferences, ranging from dry open sites to dense, closed-canopy wet forest and from near sea level to almost 2,000 meters elevation.

Maile has been a favorite native plant of the Hawaiians because of its fragrant leaves. It is used for leis for all occasions and for decorations. It was one of the five standard plants used in Laka's (goddess of hula) altar, so she was invoked to be the goddess of maile.

Maile, Alyxia olivaeformis Gaud., an endemic member of the family Apocynaceae, is the great traditional lei plant of Hawaii. It has been a favorite native plant for its fragrant leaves. The plant contains "coumarin" which imparts the pleasant fragrance. It continues to be a favorite plant of the people of Hawaii and is much used at festive times for lei and other decorations. It is a vine that grows in all of the main islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe, at elevations of 50 to 2000 meters.