Oakmoss

What does it smell like?

Earthy, woody and mossy, with leathery, green and sometimes smoky nuances.

What is it?

A perfumery extract of the lichen Evernia prunastri. A lichen is not a true moss.

The material

Lichen material traditionally collected from trees.

Where does it come from?

The reviewed absolute is processed in France; source and processing location need not be the same.

Types and forms

Traditional absolutes and processed low-atranol grades are distinct commercial forms. Moss accords can also be reconstructed.

Natural and manufactured materials

Natural extracts exist, and perfumers can also reconstruct or support this scent with aroma materials. A listed note is not proof of a particular natural ingredient, species or extraction method.

How it is produced or composed

Extraction produces an absolute; further processing can alter composition and odour.

Its role in perfume

An important source of depth in chypre and fougère styles, usually associated with the base. Pyramid positions are useful tendencies, not fixed rules or performance guarantees.

Material type

• Natural material and perfume note

Documented regions

• France

Accords and scent relationships

• Mossy
• Pairings are editorial exploration ideas, not formula rules.