Palo Santo (Bulnesia sarmientoi)
An aromatic Gran Chaco wood also called palo santo, distinct from Bursera graveolens.
Woody
About Palo Santo (Bulnesia sarmientoi)
Bulnesia sarmientoi is an aromatic tree native to the Gran Chaco region of South America. It is locally known as palo santo. The same common name is also applied elsewhere to Bursera graveolens, a different species, so the botanical name matters when identifying the material.
Scent Profile
The fragrant wood and its oil are described as woody with a delicate rose-like softness. Smoky and resinous impressions can also appear, depending on the material and the surrounding composition. A perfume's note label alone does not establish the extraction method or the amount used.
Use in Perfumery
The wood can be distilled to obtain guaiacwood oil, which is used in perfumery. A listed note can also describe an accord rather than disclose the formula, so the presence of a natural oil in a particular fragrance should not be assumed. In a composition with roses and resins, the woody impression can provide a warm counterpoint to the flowers.
