Character
The Story of Green Lilac
Green Lilac captures the tender essence of spring's most fleeting bloom. Despite its intoxicating honeyed-almond fragrance that fills late spring gardens, no natural extraction exists. Perfumers have spent decades perfecting synthetic reconstitution to bottle this delicate, romantic note.
Heritage
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) originated in the Balkans and Asia Minor before spreading across European gardens through Ottoman trade routes. The name Syringa derives from the Greek word for pipe, referencing shepherds' flutes carved from lilac wood. Celtic tradition held that lilac's deep fragrance could transport humans to fairyland. Despite centuries of cultivation, perfumers could never extract its scent until synthetic chemistry emerged. The first attempts to recreate lilac fragrance coincided with early synthetic odorant development, making it one of perfumery's oldest laboratory-created flowers. French breeders became particularly devoted to the shrub, earning Syringa vulgaris the common name 'French lilac.'
At a Glance
1
Feature this note
Balkans/Southeastern Europe
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Synthetic reconstitution
N/A - reconstructed from aromatic compounds
Did You Know
"Lilac ranks among the rare 'mute flowers' that yield no extractable scent through distillation or solvents, alongside lily of the valley and gardenia."