Pikake

Pīkake is the adapted Hawaiian name for the jasmine flower. It is a native of India. The elegant flower was named such by Hawaiian Princess Ka`iulani out of her special fondness for this flower and the beautiful peacocks that roamed her gardens in Waikīkī.

Pīkake grows as a shrub about 2 to 3 feet wide and up to 6 feet tall. The lush green paired oval leaves are a wonderful compliment to the ivory white flowers. The texture in the leaves is formed by the prominent veins. Pīkake flowers can be found at the branch terminals along the shrub stems they line either singly or in clusters. They are about ½ inch to ¾ inches in size. Unopened buds are oval; opened flowers reveal a rosette of multiple fair scented petals.

Pīkake blooms from March through September. Peak blooms are dependent upon the location and weather conditions. It grows best in dry conditions under full sun.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• It takes about 120 flower buds to make a single strand of Pīkake lei
• Pīkake can be used to flavor tea and other culinary dishes