Archil dye is prepared by drying and crushing archil lichens, placing them in an ammonia-rich liquid, and allowing them to ferment. Chemicals such as rock salt and potash may be added. During fermentation, colorless compounds in the lichen transform into purple pigments. The major lichen species that yield archil include Roccella tinctoria, Umbilicaria mammulata, Lasallia papulosa, Parmotrema tinctorum, Evernia prunastri, Lecanora pallescens, Umbilicaria vellea, Umbilicaria pustulata, and Parmelia perlata.
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