Narcissus is a floral note extracted from the flowers of Narcissus poeticus, the poet's narcissus, and related species. It has a rich, green and heady scent with honeyed, hay-like and slightly animalic facets, and it is one of the more unusual, intense florals in perfumery.

What does Narcissus smell like?

Narcissus absolute is complex: green and slightly bitter, with a honeyed, hay-like sweetness, earthy and leathery facets, and an animalic, indolic depth. It is heavier and more narcotic than daffodil scent in the garden. Compared with jasmine, it is greener and more hay-like, and compared with jonquil, which is sweeter and more floral, narcissus is darker and more complex.

Where Narcissus comes from

Narcissus absolute is produced in small quantities from wild or cultivated poet's narcissus, mainly in France's Lozère and Aubrac regions. Flowers are harvested in spring and extracted with solvents to produce concrete, then absolute. The material is expensive and rare, with low yields.

• Also known as: Poet's narcissus, Pheasant's eye
• Fragrance family: Floral (green, white floral)
• Type: Natural (synthetic accords also common)
• Main origins: France (Lozère, Aubrac)
• How it's obtained: Solvent extraction to concrete and absolute

Narcissus in perfume history

Narcissus has long associations with Greek mythology and the story of Narcissus. It appeared in perfumery by the early twentieth century, with narcissus absolute used in rich florals and chypres. Caron's Narcisse Noir (1911) is often cited as a landmark of the theme, although its name arguably promises more narcissus than its orange-blossom-rich formula delivers.

Narcissus in modern perfumery

Narcissus absolute remains rare and expensive, and it is used in niche and high-end perfumery for its unusual green, hay-like depth. Synthetic accords often replace it in mainstream products.

How Narcissus wears and what it pairs with

Narcissus sits in the heart with good tenacity, lending green richness and depth. It pairs with jasmine, hay, leather, tobacco, oakmoss, iris, orange blossom and woods.

Fragrances featuring Narcissus

• Caron Narcisse Noir (1911)

Safety and regulation

Narcissus absolute contains naturally occurring EU-declarable allergens such as linalool and benzyl alcohol.