noun
- plural of orchilla; a lichen (genus Rocella) found on rocks in tropical regions, used to produce a violet or purple dye.
Usage: also called archil or orseille; historical/technical usage
Examples
- Orchillas were harvested from rocky coastlines to produce vibrant purple dyes for textiles.
- The dye extracted from orchillas was highly valued in medieval Europe.
- Orchillas grow slowly on exposed rocks in warm climates.
- Historical records show that orchillas were an important trade commodity in the 16th century.