In the mountains of Jandía, the orchilla was traditionally exploited. Various species of lichens of the genus Roccella are known in the Canary Islands under this name. Before the appearance of synthetic colors, they were used to obtain dyes, being an important economic resource of the islands.
The orchillas live on rocks exposed to the trade winds loaded with marine moisture. In Jandía there are good conditions for its development: the mountain range rises quite sharply from the sea, with the tidal waves reaching its higher parts.
The sale of orchilla was since the conquest an exclusive right of the Territorial Lord, although he could lease it. In the first half of the 18th century, the Lords of Fuerteventura leased several of their possessions on the island to orchilleros, including the Dehesa de Jandía, for 600 reais a year. Collecting orchilla was a dangerous and unprofitable job for those who carried it out, because the vast majority of the benefits went to the owner of the land.
Orchilla harvesting lasted until the fifties of the last century, especially in the Pecenescal, Esquinzo and Vinamar ravines, but today it is completely abandoned.
