| Oakmoss | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Lecanoromycetes |
| Order: | Lecanorales |
| Family: | Parmeliaceae |
| Genus: | Evernia |
| Species: | E. prunastri |
| Binomial name | |
| Evernia prunastri | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Oakmoss (scientific nameEvernia prunastri) is aspecies oflichen. It can be found in many mountainous temperate forests throughout theNorthern Hemisphere. Oakmoss grows primarily on the trunk and branches ofoak trees, but is also commonly found on the bark of other deciduous trees andconifers such asfir andpine. Thethalli of oakmoss are short (3–4 cm in length) and bushy, and grow together on bark to form large clumps. Oakmoss thallus is flat and strap-like. They are also highly branched, resembling the form ofantlers. The colour of oakmoss ranges from green to a greenish-white when dry, and dark olive-green to yellow-green when wet. The texture of the thalli is rough when dry and rubbery when wet. It is used extensively in modernperfumery.
Oakmoss is commercially harvested in countries of South-Central Europe and usually exported to theGrasse region of France where its fragrant compounds are extracted as oakmossabsolutes and extracts. These raw materials are often used as perfume fixatives and form thebase notes of many fragrances.[2] They are also key components ofFougère andChypre class perfumes. The lichen has a distinct and complex odour and can be described as woody, sharp and slightly sweet. Oakmoss growing on pines have a pronouncedturpentine odor that is valued in certain perfume compositions.
In parts of CentralItaly, oakmoss has been used as forbiomonitoring thedeposition ofheavy metals aturban,rural, andindustrial sites. Studies ofbioaccumulation forzinc,lead,chromium,cadmium, andcopper in lichen samples were performed five times at regular intervals between November 2000 and December 2001. As expected, the rural areas showed smaller impact of those five heavy metals when compared to urban and industrial areas.[3]
Oakmoss should be avoided by people with known skin sensitization issues.[4] Its use in perfumes is now highly restricted byInternational Fragrance Association regulations, and many scents have been reformulated in recent years with other chemicals substituted for oakmoss.[5]
Evernia prunastri is listed ascritically endangered (CR) inIceland, where it is found in only one location.[6] As of April 2021, it has not been evaluated by theIUCN.
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