- Maile
Taxobox
name = Maile
image_width = 250px
regnum =Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Gentianales
familia =Apocynaceae
genus = "Alyxia "
species = "A. oliviformis"
binomial = "Alyxia oliviformis"
binomial_authority =Gaudich. Maile (pronounced "MY-lĕ") ("Alyxia oliviformis") (meaning "chain resembling olive") is a flowering vine in the family
Apocynaceae that can be found in native forests of theHawaiian 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 a Hawaiian wedding ceremony.
Uses
It is very popular to use maile for lei. Maile lei 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 lei to honorLaka , the Goddess of Hula.References
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?414443 GRIN Profile]
* [http://www.kaahelehawaii.com/pages/culture_lei_types_wili.htm Leis]
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