- Latin name
- Dalbergia (palisander); Aniba rosaeodora (rosewood)
- Family
- Legume family (Fabaceae); Laurel family (Lauraceae)
- Origin
- Brazil, India, Madagascar; in perfume mostly an accord
- Parts used
- wood
- Raw materials
- woody accords; rosewood oil (limited)
- Extraction
- steam distillation of the wood; the accord — synthesis
- Olfactory group
- woody
- Position in the pyramid
- base
- Synthetic substitutes
- linalool, ho wood oil, woody bases
Palisander is a precious tropical wood of a dark chocolate colour with beautiful grain, used for fine furniture and musical instruments. In perfume “palisander” is mostly an accord inspired by the warmth and nobility of this wood.
How it smells: warm, soft and slightly spicy: polished wood, a light floral (rosy) shade, a faintly sweet leathery depth. Palisander sounds elegant, like fine furniture, and expensive.
Palisander is often confused with the other “rosewood”, Brazilian bois de rose (Aniba rosaeodora), whose oil was once popular in perfumery. Because of overharvesting these trees are now protected and are replaced with ho wood oil and synthetic linalool.
What it pairs with: with rose — “rose on wood”, with iris — powdery wood, with leather and tobacco — classic “study” compositions, with incense — solemn wood, with vanilla — a warm creamy base.
Good to know: palisander is traditionally used for guitar fingerboards and bodies — it is prized not only for its beauty but also for its “warm” tone.
