Green Cactus

The cactus doesn't have a spectacular floral scent, but the landscape around it does: sour fruit, aloe vera, tea, fig, and sun-warmed earth. PHIL JULIAN Green Cactus is a tribute to this green side of Gran Canaria.

Bergamot, yuzu, lime, and prickly pear open the extrait sour, juicy, and energetic. Pink pepper adds a spicy spark that enhances the tartness of the fruit.

Mint, green tea, fig, cactus, and aloe vera create a cooler herbal mid-section. Cardamom gives it a dry aromatic quality, so the greenery doesn't feel like sweet juice.

Christian Carbonnel builds the scent as an homage to wild cacti, figs, aloe vera fields, and the special lightness of island light. The sun is present, but the composition remains full of moisture within the plants.

Cedar, patchouli, amber, labdanum, and musk later warm and deepen the greenery. The citrus fades, while fig, cactus, and resins leave a creamier, woody trail.

Green Cactus is not another tropical perfume with a fruit cocktail. It is prickly pear, aloe vera, and green tea over labdanum and dry island soil — an eternal summer that is green, not blue.