Maika
Maika – Musa paradisiaca
The species is known as Musa paradisiaca (L.) o Musa x paradisiacaIn Rapa Nui all the varieties are called maika, adding to this prefix different qualifiers according to the variety (maika hiva, m. rio, m. puka-puka, m. torotomea). It is a herbaceous perennial with a rhizomatous subway stem from which depart its large leaves, whose sheaths are arranged in a tightly packed spiral, constituting the false trunk. Its leaves are large, simple, entire, with sheath. Its inflorescences are in panicle and with abayed or capsular fruits.
Importance
Maika had multiple uses in ancient times, as it does today. It was grown in rows, as well as in manavai or caves to take advantage of the humidity and protect them from the wind and sun. To ripen the fruit, the heads were buried for a few days. The dried leaves (kakaka) were used for roofing the houses, making baskets or wrapping food and the bark fiber was used to tie the joints of the structure of the old houses. At present the leaves and trunks are used to cover the curantos and also to make traditional clothing and some accessories.
Propagation
It reproduces mostly by offspring, according to the island's traditional method.
Ecology
Subspontaneous and with small populations in the natural environment, especially in old manavai and cave entrances, especially in the Roiho sector. Research and conservation of old varieties such as hiva, rio, puka-puka, torotomea, among others, is recommended. Not all the existing varieties at the present time are native, since some are introductions of the last decades.
Conservation
Classified as a LEAST-CONCERN by the Ministry of the Environment, although there is little information about the varieties of the plant, some of which have few specimens today. It is possible that other varieties introduced by Polynesian settlers were lost during the 20th century.
Distribution
Native to Southeast Asia. Today it is cultivated in all tropical regions of the world.
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