Character
The Story of White dahlia
White dahlia offers a crisp, slightly bitter green nuance drawn from its leaves and stems, lending structure to bright florals and citrus accords.
Heritage
Dahlia species originated in the highlands of central Mexico, where indigenous groups cultivated the tuber for food and ornamental purposes long before European contact. Archaeological layers at the Teotihuacan site, dated to around 200 CE, contain dahlia tuber fragments, confirming early agricultural use. After the Spanish introduced the plant to Europe in the 16th century, it became a prized garden flower, celebrated for its large, colorful blooms. The scentless nature of the petals meant that dahlia remained a visual rather than aromatic star for centuries. In the late 20th century, niche perfumers began experimenting with the plant’s foliage, discovering that the leaves emit a faint, bitter green aroma when extracted. By 2005, a handful of avant‑garde fragrances listed "white dahlia leaf" as a supporting note, using it to temper sweet white‑floral accords. The practice spread slowly, as the extraction process proved labor‑intensive, but the note gained respect for its ability to add structure without masking other ingredients.
At a Glance
1
Feature this note
Mexico
Primary source region
Ingredient Details
Solvent extraction (cold ethanol maceration)
Leaves and stems
Did You Know
"Although the white dahlia flower is virtually scentless, its leaf extract yields a bitter green note that perfumers prize for adding contrast to otherwise sweet bouquets."