noun
- a lichen found on rocks in tropical regions, used to produce a violet or purple dye
Usage: also called orchil or archil; historical/technical usage
Examples
- Orchilla was a valuable dye source in the textile industry before synthetic dyes were invented.
- The lichen orchilla grows on rocky outcrops in warm climates.
- Medieval dyers prized orchilla for its ability to produce rich purple hues.
- Orchilla extract was exported from the Canary Islands to European markets.