A landscape photographer in particular and a nature lover in general loves the sight of a moss-covered terrain. The green cover provided by moss is not only pleasing to the eye, but inhaling the odour of the damp forest floor gives you a feeling of being ‘one with nature’. Such a sensation of being in the heart of a jungle, amidst nature, is also experienced when you smell a perfume containing Oakmoss as a base note, which imparts a unique earthy tone to it.
A lichen species that thrives in temperate forests in the mountains, this dark green/ greenish-white fungus is commonly found on the oak tree (and hence the name Oakmoss), though it also grows on other deciduous trees and conifers too. The thallus of Oakmoss is intricate and resembles deer antlers. Oakmoss essential oil is extracted using hexane and after being treated with hot ethanol.
Oakmoss has a distinct earthy, woody smell with traces of amber and musk as well as a touch of a damp forest floor, that gives it a sensual and raw animalistic character at the same time. It is a popular fixative owing to its ability to anchor more volatile scents and is commonly used in the chypre family of scents which have an earthy, mossy base note. Whilst the primary use of Oakmoss is in perfumery, it is also used in soaps and cleaning solutions at lower concentrations.
Oakmoss has been used in Blossom perfume for women in the Hvnly collection.
Author: Sandipani Padhi