2.4_SDN_Economic_importance_of_Gymno.pdf

Gymnosperms are economically important as a source of timber for construction and paper production, food from edible seeds and starches (like sago), industrial products such as resin, oils, and tannins, medicines like the anti-asthmatic drug ephedrine and the anti-cancer drug Taxol, ornamental plants for landscaping and decoration, and for their use in recreation and environmental benefits such as soil conservation.
Food
Edible Seeds: Many gymnosperm seeds, like those from Pinus (Pine) and Ginkgo, are edible and consumed directly or used in food products.
Starch Production: The stems and seeds of Cycas and Zamia are rich sources of starch, used to produce sago.
Vegetables: Young leaves of some gymnosperms are eaten as green leafy vegetables.
Industrial Products
Timber:
Coniferous gymnosperms are a major source of wood used for construction, lumber, and paper.
Resins and Oils:
Various products like resin, rosin, and essential oils are derived from gymnosperms and used in industries for varnishes, paints, soaps, and perfumes.
Tannins:
Tannins extracted from the bark of species like Araucaria and Sequoia are used in the leather industry.
Medicines
Ephedrine:
The alkaloid ephedrine, extracted from Ephedra, is used in medications for asthma, cough, and cold.
Taxol:
This powerful anti-cancer drug is obtained from the bark of the Taxus (Yew) tree.
Other Uses:
The juice of Cycas revoluta is used to treat blood vomiting, and its leaves can be used for medicinal purposes.
Ornamental and Recreational Uses
Landscaping and Decoration: Many gymnosperms, such as Cycas, Thuja, and Pinus, are valued for their beautiful evergreen foliage and are widely used in gardens and parks.
Christmas Trees: This group of plants provides the traditional Christmas trees.
Environmental and Other Uses
Soil Conservation:
Gymnosperms help prevent soil erosion and maintain soil fertility, contributing to environmental stability.
Crafts:
Fibers from the leaves of species like Cycas are used to make baskets, mats, and hats.
Food
Edible Seeds: Many gymnosperm seeds, like those from Pinus (Pine) and Ginkgo, are edible and consumed directly or used in food products.
Starch Production: The stems and seeds of Cycas and Zamia are rich sources of starch, used to produce sago.
Vegetables: Young leaves of some gymnosperms are eaten as green leafy vegetables.
Industrial Products
Timber:
Coniferous gymnosperms are a major source of wood used for construction, lumber, and paper.
Resins and Oils:
Various products like resin, rosin, and essential oils are derived from gymnosperms and used in industries for varnishes, paints, soaps, and perfumes.
Tannins:
Tannins extracted from the bark of species like Araucaria and Sequoia are used in the leather industry.
Medicines
Ephedrine:
The alkaloid ephedrine, extracted from Ephedra, is used in medications for asthma, cough, and cold.
Taxol:
This powerful anti-cancer drug is obtained from the bark of the Taxus (Yew) tree.
Other Uses:
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1. Economic Importance of
Gymnosperms
Ornamentalvalue:
Anumberofgymnospermsaregrownasornamentalplants,e.g.,Cycas,
Araucaria,Thujaetc.

2. 2.Food Value
•i.‘Sago’starchobtainedfrompithandcortexof
stemofC.revolute,C.rumphietc.
•ii.‘Seedstarch’obtainedfromseedsofCycas
rumphii,Diooneduleetc.Itispreparedintoflour
andcookedbeforeeating.
•iii.SeedsofPinusgerardiana(chilgoza)areedible.
•iv.‘Kaffirbread’preparedfromthestempithof
Encephalartos.
•v.YoungleavesofCycascookedasvegetables.

3. 3.Medicinal value
•i.Ephedrine(alkaloid)extractedfromEphedra
usedintreatingasthma,cough,cold,
bronchitisetc.
•ii.TinctureofEphedraisacardiacstimulant.
•iii.Thejuiceextractedfromyoungleavesof
Cycasrevolutaisusedforcuringblood
vomitingandflatulence.

4. 4. Industrial Use
•i.Gum-Cycasgumusedasadhesive,antidoteforsnakebitesandusing
malignantulcers.
•ii.Tannins–TanninsextractedfrombarkofAraucaria,Pinus,Sequoiaetc.
usedinleatherindustry.
•iii.Canadabalsam–ItisturpentineobtainedfromAbiesbalsameaand
usedasamountingmediuminbiologicalpreparations.
•iv.Amber(fossilresin)–obtainedfromPinussuccinifera.WoodofPinusis
usedfordoors,poles,beams,railwaywagonflooringetc.
•v.PlywoodpreparedfromPodocarpus.
•vi.Paperslikenewsprints,writingandprintingpapersarebeingprepared
fromthewoodpulpofPinus,Picea,Abeis,Gnetumetc.
•vii.Theleavesofcycadsareusedforpreparingbaskets,mats,hats,
broomsetc.
•viii.ThefibresobtainedfromtheleavesofCycasandMacrozamiaareused
forstuffingpillowsandmakingmattresses.

5. 5. Source of oils
•i.OilsextractedfromseedsofC.revoluta,
Macrozamiareidlei,Pinuscembraand
Cephalotaxusdrupaceaareusedasedibleoils.
•ii.Redcedarwoodoilextractedfromtheheart
woodofJuniperusvirginianaisusedforcleaning
microscopicpreparationsandforoilimmersion
lenses.
•iii.OilsobtainedfromCedrusdeodara,
CiyptomeriajaponicaandCupressusserm-
perivirensareusedinpreparationsofperfumes.