Araucaria Essential Oil
Neocallitropsis pancheri is a plant species of the family Cupressaceae and the sole species of the genus Neocallitropsis. It is endemic to New Caledonia, South Pacific, where it occurs in small, scattered population along rivers. It is an evergreen coniferous tree growing to 2-10 m tall. The leaves are awl-shaped, 1 cm long, arranged in eight rows in alternating whorls of four; in overall appearance, the foliage is superficially similar to some species of Araucaria, though they are only very distantly related. Neocallitropsis is dioecious, with separate male and female trees. The essential oil is steam distilled from the wood of this comparitively small tree, which grows wild and once abundantly in New Caledonia (now becoming rare). The tree is related to thuja, cypress and sandarac trees, but it seems to be known only in the above area. The wood is distilled in western Australia.
Araucaria oil is solid at room temperatures but if melted will remain as a very viscous liquid for a considerable length of time. It is pale yellow to olive green or brown in colour. The odour is delicately woody but also rich and sweet, almost floral like cabreuva oil.
Araucuria essential oil is an excellent fixative and has also been used in low cost perfume materials for soaps etc.
| Botanical Name: | Neocallitropsis pancheri (Carrière) de Laubenfels 1972 |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Synonyms: | Neocallitropsis araucarioides, Callitropsis araucarioides |
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| Parts Used: | Wood |
| Extraction Method: | Steam distilled |
| Appearance: | Pale yellow to olive green or brown |
| Aroma Description: | Delicately woody but also rich and sweet |
| Perfume note: | |
| Consistancy: | Solid |
| Strength of Initial Aroma: | |
| Blends well with: | Clary sage |
| Historical Uses: | Used as soap fragrance |
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