Best Dye Lichen
Parmelia saxatilis is a foliose lichen commonly known as crottle or salted shield lichen. It has gray, leaf-like lobes with a network of raised ridges and often grows attached to rocks, tree bark, and other exposed surfaces. The species has been used historically as a source of lichen dye, especiall...
Why this score?
Classic netted ridges, broad ecological range, forage value, and historical dye use support consistently strong standing.
Scoring methodology
Ochrolechia tartarea is a crustose lichen that grows on exposed rock surfaces, especially in cool and humid regions. It is historically associated with cudbear, a purple dye made from certain lichen species and formerly produced in Scotland and Scandinavia. The species is of interest both as a saxic...
Why this score?
Historic purple-dye importance, distinctive chemistry, and substantial crusts confer strong cultural and scientific reputation.
Scoring methodology
