Favorite Lei Flowers: are they Native or Alien?

Pikake (ALIEN)

Jasmine came from Asia in the mid-1800s. Jasmine is known locally as "pikake," a name given by Princess Kaiulani for the peacocks that played among the jasmine plants in her garden.

Maile (Native)

Though this vine is a Hawaiian native, most maile seen today comes from the Cook Islands. Hawaiian maile has been over harvested and is no longer abundant.

Carnation (ALIEN)

The missionary women of New England are credited with introducing this European garden plant to Hawai‘i .

'Ilima (Native)

The 'ilima was probably the only plant cultivated by early Hawaiians for lei making.

Ginger (ALIEN)

These are large herbs that most likely were brought to Hawai‘i by the Chinese in the 1870s.

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