Alyxia stellata

Common Names

Maile, Maile Lau Nui, Maile Lau Li‘i

Summary

Maile is an evergreen tropical plant that grows as a scrambling shrub or twining vine, with stems reaching up to several metres in length. Native to Hawaiʻi and widespread across the Pacific, it features glossy dark green leaves that are fragrant when bruised, a milky latex visible in young stems and petioles, and tiny pinwheel-shaped flowers that range from greenish to yellowish white; fruits are olive-shaped purple drupes.

Best displayed as an accent under trees or on a trellis, it prefers partial shade and well-drained soil, tolerates a range of soils, and should be shielded from salt spray near the ocean; container plantings require a well-draining mix. Growth is slow, with mature branches lengthening about 30 cm per year and flowering/fruiting often beginning around the second year. Maile is valued for leis and holds ceremonial significance in Hawaiian culture; propagation is by seeds or cuttings, and sustainable harvesting practices are encouraged.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-6 feet

Spread

6-8 ft

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; tolerates full sun with well-draining soil.

Soil Type

Well-drained, organic-rich soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

6.1-6.5

Bloom Color

Yellow, White, Orange, Greenish-White

Bloom Time

Fall and Winter

Foliage Color

Dark green foliage with an upper surface glossy dark green and a paler lower surface.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

1-2 feet per year

Seasons of Interest

Fall and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Bees: Yes, Hummingbirds: Unknown, Butterflies: Unknown, Other pollinators: Unknown, Birds: Yes