| Maile | ||||||||||||||
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 Alyxia oliviformis | ||||||||||||||
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| Alyxia oliviformis Gaudich. | ||||||||||||||
Maile (pronounced MY-lay*) Alyxia oliviformis ("chain resembling olive") is a flowering vine in the family Apocynaceae that can be found in native forests of the Hawaiian Islands. Maile grows on a vine with green oval pointed leaves. The leaves have a strong vanilla-like fragrance. Maile grows in cool moist climates with indirect sunlight.
History
At one time, the maile lei was reserved for traditional use by Hawaiian royalty and commoners were not allowed to wear this special lei, but today it is the lei of choice for a bride and groom to wear in an Hawaiian wedding ceremony.
Uses
It is very popular to use maile for leis. Maile leis are often made open-ended, and draped around the neck, hanging freely over the left and right shoulders. Hawaiian natives believe maile is sacred. Hula dancers commonly use maile leis to honor Laka, the Goddess of Hula.