It is of importance in the biochemistry of lichens, from which it can be extracted.

It can be prepared by the oxidation of orsellaldehyde,[2] or through a Michael adduct: This can also be produced by the hydrolysis of either everninic acid or ramalic acid by boiling with barium hydroxide.

When crystallized from acetone it forms crystalline needles with a melting point of 176 °C.

[3] It also forms a crystalline hydrate with a melting point of 186-189 °C when crystallized from water.

[3] Orsellinic acid is biosynthesized by a polyketide pathway.