Maile
Alyxia stellata, family Apocynaceae
A fragrant Hawaiian vine used in lei and local tradition
Maile (Alyxia stellata) is a twining vine or shrub native to the tropical Pacific, especially Hawaii. Its slender stems and small, sweetly scented flowers are prized for making lei, and its bark is fragrant. Maile grows in wet and mesic forests and is important in Hawaiian ceremonies and folklore.
- Maile is a key plant for making traditional Hawaiian lei.
- It grows wild from Queensland to Hawaii in wet and mesic forests.
- The plant has a sweet, light honey scent, especially in the bark.
- Maile is important in Hawaiian ceremonies, weddings, and folklore.
- Commercial plantations help meet demand for lei maile.
What does Maile look like?
Maile is a vine or small shrub with slender, twining stems. Its leaves are usually grouped in threes, but sometimes appear in pairs on the same plant. The flowers are small, white, and not showy, but they give off a light, sweet honey scent. The bark is especially fragrant and sticky when cut, and the plant produces oval, dark purple fruit when ripe. Maile’s overall look is delicate, with long, flexible stems often used whole for decoration.
Where does Maile come from?
Alyxia stellata is native to the tropical Pacific, stretching from northeastern Queensland in Australia through many Pacific islands to Hawaii. It is one of the few vines endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, growing in a range of habitats from lowland wet forests to montane areas up to 2,000 metres. Maile has long been part of Hawaiian ecosystems and culture, and is now also grown commercially for lei making due to high demand.
When and how Maile blooms
Maile grows in moist forests, thriving at elevations from 50 to 2,000 metres. It prefers areas with high rainfall and can be found in both lowland and montane habitats. The plant is usually gathered from the wild, but commercial plantations also exist. For lei, the vines are harvested, cleaned, and twisted together, either left open or closed into a circle, depending on preference.
How Maile is used
Maile is most famous for its use in lei, especially for weddings, graduations, and celebrations in Hawaii. It is also used to scent kapa (barkcloth) and in traditional medicine for treating wounds. The plant is woven into lei by twisting the vines, and its fragrance is highly valued. Maile is sometimes incorporated into restoration plantings to support conservation.
Kinds of Maile
Maile shows a lot of variation in leaf size and fragrance, which is reflected in Hawaiian names for different forms. Examples include maile lau liʻi (small-leaved), maile lau nui (large-leaved), and maile kaluhea (sweet-scented). Kauai’s fine-leaved maile lau liʻi is especially praised in song and chant for its fragrance.
What Maile means
Maile is deeply woven into Hawaiian tradition and folklore. It appears in stories, proverbs, and songs, and is associated with celebration, honor, and remembrance. Lei maile are worn at weddings and important events, and the plant is linked to places remembered for their fragrance. Conservation efforts now include maile, reflecting its cultural and ecological importance.
Where Maile is used and seen
Traditions that use it
Questions people ask about Maile
Where does maile come from?
Maile (Alyxia stellata) is native to the tropical Pacific, including northeastern Queensland, Australia, and many Pacific islands, with a strong presence in Hawaii where it is especially valued.
What is maile used for?
Maile is mainly used to make lei for weddings, graduations, and other celebrations in Hawaii. It is also used to scent barkcloth (kapa) and has traditional medicinal uses for treating wounds.
What does maile look and smell like?
Maile is a slender, twining vine or shrub with small white flowers and oval dark purple fruit. Its bark and flowers have a sweet, light honey fragrance, making it popular for lei.
Why is maile important in Hawaiian culture?
Maile is woven into Hawaiian ceremonies, folklore, and songs. It symbolizes honor and celebration, and its fragrance is linked to special places and memories in Hawaiian tradition.
Are there different types of maile?
Yes, maile varies in leaf size and fragrance. Hawaiian names distinguish forms like maile lau liʻi (small-leaved) and maile kaluhea (sweet-scented), with some types especially celebrated in local songs and chants.
Good reading and sources
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Alyxia stellata on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Alyxia stellata", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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