Evernia prunastri
Oakmoss, mousse de chêne
When you think about lichens, I doubt the first thought that comes to your head is of perfume, but in the case of E. prunastri, it should be! This lichen is commercially harvested for use in fancy French perfumes as a fixative and a base scent. Apparently, its main fragrance notes are of earth, hummus, earth, and wood. I mean, I am not surprised. This foliose friend has a variety of growth forms, but grows from one basal attchment, typically has those V-shaped branch axils, and has an abundance of flattened, strap-like branches. The color is also variable, but typically stays somewhere in the grayish-green-yellow region of colors, and is typically matte or rough textured. It usually contains marginal soredia, while apothecia are rare. As the common name suggests, it often grows on oak trees, but is also commonly found on other deciduous trees and shrubs, and the occasional conifer. It is mainly found in temperate forests in the northern hemisphere, but has also been recognized in Africa. Keep an eye out for the stunning E. prunastri, and next time you come across it, consider giving it a sniff.
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