goosefoot, pigweed
莱 refers to weedy plants of the goosefoot and pigweed family, often found in fields or waste places. The meaning is specific to these plants and does not extend to broader abstract ideas.
莱 combines the grass radical 艹 with 来, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character is used for weedy plants, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
The grass radical 艹 on top of 来 (come) suggests weeds that come up in unwanted places: goosefoot and pigweed.
For ライ, imagine a field of pigweed lying in wait: lying -> ライ, and the weeds lie low in the grass.
Mount Penglai; Penglai Island; enchanted land of perpetual youth from Chinese mythology
the three sacred mountains: Fuji, Atsuta, and Kumano
Sakizaya (people)
hedge bamboo (Bambusa multiplex); golden goddess bamboo
Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris); black maidenhair fern; Venus hair fern
Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa); split-leaf philodendron; cerimen; Mexican breadfruit; fruit salad plant
Kansai New Year decoration (made from food)
Sloane's viperfish (Chauliodus sloani)