A lichen used historically as a dye source, producing reddish-brown and purple colors in textiles.
From Scottish and Irish Gaelic origins; related to 'crottle,' a variant name for the same lichen. Used extensively in Celtic regions for dyeing wool and linen.
Medieval Scottish weavers used crottal lichens to create colors that were genuinely rare and expensive—finding the right lichen on the right rocks was as valuable as gold leaf!
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