ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF

GYMNOSPERMS

• Dr. Pooja Dixit

vegetable
Part of
• Source of Oil
• The oil extracted from the seeds of gymnosperms such as C.
revoluta, macrozamia riedlei, pinus cembra, and Cephalotaxus
drupacea is used as edible oils.
• Red cedar oil, extracted from the heart skin of Juniperus virginiana, is
used to clean very small objects and oil-soaked lenses.
• Oils extracted from Cyptomeria, Cedrus
deodara, Cupressus, japonica, and serum-Peruvians are used in
perfume preparation.
• Timber Value
• Gymnosperm plants are economically important as they are a good
source of timber which are widely used in the making of furniture and
for other construction purposes.
• The woods of these plants are softwood and hence, their durability is
long-lasting.
• The largest timber-producing gymnosperm tree in the world is Agathis
australis.
• Several species of Cycas are widely cultivated as garden plants and for
decorative purposes.
• Ginkgo, the ‘virgin’ tree is planted as an ornamental plant in Chinese
and Japanese temples and is worshipped.
• Thuja plicata, Biota Orientalis, and Juniperus species are cultivated as
ornamental trees throughout India, especially in aviation.
• Pinus and Araucaria species are also cultivated as ornamental plants
in northern India.
• Other varieties of Gnetum and Ephedra are also cultivated as
ornaments.
• Industrial Value
• There are a number of uses of gymnosperm plant for the industrial purpose also which are as
follows -
• Cycas gum is used as an adjuvant, a remedy for snake bites, and the use of dangerous sores.
• Tannins extracted from the bark of Araucaria, Pinus, Sequoia, etc., are used in the leather
industry.
• Canada Balsam is prepared from bark of Abies balsamea. Canada Balsam is a turpentine which
is fluid obtained by the process of distillation. It is used as mounting medium in biological
preparations.
• Fossil resin is found in Pinus succinifera. The wood of Pinus is used for doors, posts, beams,
wagon flooring, etc.
• Plywood prepared from Podocarpus.
• Papers such as newsletters, stationery items, and print are prepared from the wood pulp of Pinus,
Picea, Abeis, Gnetum, etc.
• Cycad leaves are used to fix baskets, mats, hats, brooms, etc.
• Fibres found in the leaves of Cycas and Macrozamia are used to fix pillows and make
mattresses.