Economic Importance of Gymnosperms

The Gymnosperms are with high economic importance to mankind. For easy understanding, the economic importance of Gymnosperms can be categorized in the following heads:

Economic Importance of Gymnosperms

1. Food Value
2. Medicinal Value
3. Timber Value
4. Source of Oil
5. Industrial Value
6. Ornamental Value
7. Other Uses

(1). Food Value

Ø  Cycads are a good source of Starch.

Learn more: Affinities of Gymnosperms

Ø  ‘Sago’ is a starch obtained from the pith and cortex of the stem of Cycas revolute and Cycas rumphi.

Ø  ‘Seed starch’ is obtained from the seeds of Cycas rumphii and Dioon edule. It is prepared into flour and cooked before eating.
Ø  Seeds of Pinus gerardiana are edible and are commonly known as chillgoza.
Ø  ‘Kaffir bread’ is a type of bread prepared from the stem pith of Encephalartos.

Ø  Young leaves of Cycas are cooked as vegetables in some parts of the world.

Ø  The seeds are Gnetum is also edible.

(2). Medicinal Value

Ø  Paclitaxel (PTX), an anticancer drug sold under the trade name ‘Taxol’ is an alkaloid extracted from the bark of Taxus bervifolia. Taxol is a spindle fibre inhibitor, which prevents the progression of cell division. It is used in the chemotherapy of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Ø  Ephedrine, an alkaloid extracted from the Ephedra is used in the treatment of asthma, cough, cold, bronchitis etc. The decoction of Ephedra is a cardiac stimulant.

Ø  Juice of the young leaves of Cycas revoluta is used for curing blood vomiting.

Ø  Cycas-gum: an antidote against snake bite and it is also used against malignant ulcers.

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(3). Timber Value

Ø  Gymnosperms are a good source of Timbers. Gymnospermic woods are called Softwood. They are very useful in making furniture and for other construction purposes.

Ø  Coniferous wood is resistant towards insects and fungus.

Ø  These woods also have good durability and are of lightweight.

Ø  Agathis australis is the largest timber producing tree in the world.

Ø  Some gymnosperms produce scented woods such as Cedrus deodara.

Ø  The wood of Pinus is used for making doors, poles, beams, railway wagon flooring etc.

Ø  Plywood is prepared from the wood of Podocarpus.

(4). Source of Oil

Ø  Edible oil is extracted from the seeds of Cycas revoluta, Macrozamia riedlei, Pinus cembra and Cephalotaxus drupacea.

Ø  Red cedar wood oil extracted from the heartwood of Juniperus virginiana is used in oil immersion microscopy.

Ø  Oils obtained from Cedrus deodara, Ciyptomeria japonica and Cupressus sempervirens are used in preparations of perfumes and soaps.

(5). Industrial Value

Ø  Tannins: Tannins extracted from the bark of Araucaria, Pinus and Sequoia are used in the leather industry.

Ø  Canadabalsam is a resin obtained from Abies balsamea and used as a mounting medium in biological preparations. Canadabalsam have same refractive index as that of glass.

Ø  Amber (fossil resin) is obtained from Pinus succinifera. It is used for making jewellery, pipes and cigar holders.

Ø  Papers industry:  Newspaper, writing and printing papers are prepared from the wood pulp of Pinus, Picea and Abies

Ø  Gum-Cycas is used as adhesive.

Ø  Leaves of cycads are used for preparing baskets, mats, hats, brooms etc.

Ø  Fibres obtained from the leaves of Cycas and Macrozamia are used for stuffing pillows and cushions.

Ø  The wood of Taxus is used for making Pencils.

Ø  Pinus roxburghii produce oleorosins and gum-rosin which are brittle and aromatic solids used to manufacture soaps, varnishes and printing inks

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(6). Ornamental Value

Ø  Many gymnosperms are grown as ornamental plants:

Ø  Example:

o   Cycas: Leafy ornamental

o   Zamia: leafy ornamental plant

o   Araucaria: Avenue tree

o   Thuja: Small shrub

o   Podocarpus: Small tree

o   Juniperus: small tree, as bonsai

o   Pinus: avenue tree, as bonsai

o   Ginkgo: Leafy ornamental, Sacred

(7). Other Uses

Ø  The strong root system of gymnosperm prevents soil erosion.

Ø  Few gymnosperms are ‘Living Fossils’ (Cycas, Ginkgo) they provide important scientific knowledge about the past flora of earth.

Ø  The bark of Gnetum gnemon and G. ula is used to obtain Fiber for making fishing nets and ropes

Ø  Some Gymnosperms, particularly Conifers, are good sources of fuel-wood.

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