Pikake Overview
Pikake is one of Hawaii's best-loved lei flowers. This fragrant jasmine is known for its small white blossoms and sweet scent, which makes it a favorite for special occasion lei, weddings and garden plantings.
The Hawaiian name pikake means “peacock.” The name connects to Princess Kaiulani, who loved peacocks. That story gives the flower a royal connection in Hawaii, along with its long-standing place in lei making.
Fragrance, Flowers and Lei Use
Pikake is a climbing jasmine with round leaves and white flowers that measure about 1 inch across. The flower is native to India and is known scientifically as Jasminum sambac.
In Hawaii, pikake is valued most for fragrance. A pikake lei can be simple, elegant and strongly scented, often made with tightly strung blossoms. Because the flowers are small, lei making takes patience, but the finished lei has a clean, classic look and a memorable scent.
Pikake fits beautifully in warm gardens where its fragrance can be noticed up close. Related Hawaii lei flower pages include gardenia, plumeria, tuberose and crown flower.
