Oak Moss
Oakmoss, also known as Oakmoos, is a type of lichen. It can be found in many mountain temperate forests throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Oak moss grows primarily on the trunk and branches of oak trees, but is also commonly found on the bark of other deciduous trees and conifers such as fir and pine.
The fronds of oakmoss are short (3-4cm long) and bushy and grow together on the bark to form large clumps. The insole of oak moss is flat and band-shaped. They are also highly branched and resemble the shape of antlers. The colour of oak moss ranges from green to greenish/white when dry and dark olive green to yellow-green when wet. The texture of the antlers are rough when dry and rubbery when wet.
Oakmoss is harvested commercially in southern and central European countries and is usually exported to the Grasse region of France, where its aromatic compounds are extracted.
USE:
✅It is widely used in modern perfumery.
✅These raw materials are often used as perfume fixatives and form the base notes of many fragrances.
✅They are also key components of Fougère and Chypre perfumes.
✅Lichen has a distinctive and complex aroma and can be described as woody, sharp and slightly sweet.
✅Oakmoss growing on pine trees has a distinct turpentine scent that is prized in some perfume compositions