Maile in Your Backyard

Rebekah Magers shows the ripe maile fruit she collected in Koke‘e, with a proper permit, to propagate the endemic maile vine through seeds. Contributed photo

By Léo Azambuja

The endemic maile, alyxia oliviformis, is a twining vine or a sprawling shrub. Its flowers are green to light yellow, producing an oval and dark purple fruit when ripe. It grows in a wide range of habitats from sea level to elevations of 6,500 feet. A lei made of maile leaves is a symbol of respect, friendship and love. The lei is usually worn open around the neck, and in old Hawai‘i, it was used by royalty.

These ripe seeds were collected by Rebekah Magers — who properly had a permit — atop a ridge in Koke‘e. She hopes more lei gardens with maile would help to supply the growing demand, while bringing awareness the plant can be cultivated in backyards. Though propagations is usually from seeds, cuttings can also be used.