Economic importance of Gymnosperms

Gymnosperms supply a wide range of everyday products relative to their small species count. Cycas circinalis and C. revoluta yield sago starch used as food, and roasted Pinus gerardiana seed is likewise eaten. Abies balsamea yields Canada balsam resin, used as a mounting medium for permanent microscope slides. Pinus insularis and P. roxburghii yield rosin and turpentine, used in paper sizing and varnishes; P. roxburghii additionally yields oleoresin (for soap, varnish and printing ink) and, along with Picea smithiana, wood pulp for papermaking. Bark from Araucaria (the 'monkey's puzzle' tree), Picea and Phyllocladus yields tannins for the leather industry. Taxus brevifolia is the source of taxol, an important anti-cancer drug, and Ephedra gerardiana yields ephedrine, used to treat asthma and bronchitis. Cedrus deodara timber is used for doors, boats and railway sleepers, whil …