Treemoss Absolute

Latin name :

Evernia furfuracea

Botanical profile :

Tree moss is a lichen of the Parmeliacae family, and of the genus Evernia

Geographic origin :

Originating from various countries, France, the Balkans and China are the three largest producers (in order) of tree moss.

Chemotypes :

In perfumery, three types of lichen are used:
Evernia prunastri : Oak Moss Absolute
Evernia furfuracea : Tree Moss Absolute
Usnea longissima : Cedar Moss Absolute, which can be found in China and Tibet, but of a different botanical family.

Other species of the genus Evernia are also distinguished: Evernia divaricata, Evernia esorediosa and Evernia mesomorpha. These are not used in perfumery.

Extraction process :

Tree moss grows at the base of various trees. It is extracted in the same way as oak moss absolute.
Maceration in cold or hot water for 2 to 3 days is necessary to soften the lichens before extraction. They are then crushed to better fill the still, and increase the extraction yield. The extraction is done by a mixture of cyclohexane and isopropanol, in three successive washings. This step extracts the lichen and allows, after filtration and evaporation of the solvent, to obtain the concrete of tree moss. The absolute is then obtained by washing the concrete with alcohol to remove the waxes, which are insoluble in alcohol. The yield on the transition from concrete to absolute is 80%, for an overall extraction yield of about 3.5% (compared to 1.5% for oak moss).
The extract obtained contains Chloratranol and Atranol, which are highly allergenic compounds. A rectification is made to reduce the presence of these compounds in the extract.

Major Components :

Data not available.