Almost scentless in nature, translated into a cool, papery white-floral transparency. Faint green and pollen-like. The impression is of whiteness and movement: fabric in wind. Less sweet than magnolia, less anything than most florals. Defined by absence more than presence.
Evolution over time
Immediately
Immediately
Cool green whisper, faint pollen
After a few hours
After a few hours
Papery white transparency
After a few days
After a few days
Nearly imperceptible
The Full Story
The dove tree (Davidia involucrata) is a rare deciduous tree native to central and western China, famous for its large white bracts that flutter like handkerchiefs or doves in the wind. It is a visually dramatic flowering trees in temperate gardens.
In perfumery, dove tree is a fantasy note. The actual flowers have minimal fragrance: a faint, cool, slightly green quality with a papery-textile suggestion from the tissue-like bracts. The perfumery accord interprets this visual poetry into scent: something white, transparent, and almost weightless.
The note functions as a modifier in white-floral, minimalist, and botanical-concept compositions. It provides a sense of lightness and visual whiteness translated into olfactory terms. The accord is built from transparent floral materials, cool-green molecules, and the faintest white musk base.
This note in Première Peau. Nuit Elastique · Rose Monotone. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.
The dove tree was discovered by Western science in 1869 by French missionary and naturalist Armand David, but it took another 30 years before seeds were successfully brought to Europe. Ernest Wilson's 1899 expedition to China to collect dove tree seeds is considered one of the great plant-hunting adventures.
Extraction & Chemistry
Extraction method: No commercial extraction. Fantasy accord. The flowers produce negligible volatile compounds.
Molecular Formula
N/A — no isolable essential oil
CAS Number
N/A — no standard commercial essential oil
Botanical Name
Davidia involucrata
IFRA Status
No known restrictions
Synonyms
HANDKERCHIEF TREE · GHOST TREE
Physical Properties
Odor Strength
Medium
Appearance
N/A — fantasy fragrance accord
In Perfumery
Dove tree is a fantasy modifier in minimalist, white-floral, and botanical-concept compositions. It provides olfactory whiteness and transparency. The note is primarily atmospheric, evoking visual beauty rather than contributing strong scent. Built from the lightest floral materials, cool-green molecules, and barely perceptible white musk.