ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF BRYOPHYTES
Bryophytes form an important part of vegetation in cold temperate regions of the world including
Himalayas. Studies on the uses of bryophytes in the daily lives of the native people have revealed
that in these regions’ bryophytes are widely uses as medicine, construction materials, insect
repellents, pads and stuffing, packing, chinking materials and smoke filters.
1. Medicine:
In the ancient times bryophytes were used as herbal medicines in various parts of the
world.
1.1. Northern Montana (USA), Polytrichum juniperinum is used for preparing various
medicines.
1.2. Kumaon region (North-Western Himalayas), Marchantia polymorpha and M. palmata
are used for boils and abscesses. Also, Mosses are used in ointment for cuts, burns and
wounds.
1.3. China, 30+ species of Bryophytes have curative agents.
1.4. Rhodobryum giganteum is used to cure “Angina” (an attack of constricting pain). Also,
R. roseum is used in treatment of cardio-vascular diseases and nervousness.
1.5. Certain products of bryophytes inhibit the growth of micro-organisms. Three
prenylbibenzyls from Radula spp. inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus.
1.6. Many species of bryophytes have been shown to possess antitumor activity. The first
antitumor active compound, diplophylline, was obtained from liverworts. This
compound shows significant activity against human carcinoma. Antitumor
sesquiterpenoids have also been isolated from many liverworts.
1.7. For centuries, Sphagnum has been used as absorbent dressing. It was first used on
large scale during the Russo-Japanese war, 1904-1905. Following are the advantages of
Sphagnum dressing over cotton.
• They absorb 16-20 times their own dry weight of liquid, whereas cotton dressings
could only absorb 4-6 times.
• They were cool and soothing because the moss is porous. A dressing was found to
be comparatively dry for 24 hours after an operation in cases where the wound had
bled quite freely.
• The dressing could be left on for up to 2-3 days which is much longer than cotton
ones.
• Sphagnum itself has mild antiseptic properties not possessed by cotton.
1.8. Plant pathogens: Liverwort extract – Herbertus aduncus inhibits the growth of some
plant pathogenic fungi. Many moss species – Dicranium scopariun and D. japonicum
contain some rare fatty acids which completely inhibit the growth of the fungi causing
rice blast, Pyricularia oryzae.
2. Construction Materials:
In areas with wood scarcity, tiny bryophytes are commonly utilized for various activities like
construction of houses and for their furnishing.
I. Fontinallis antipyretica (aquatic moss) is used by Nordic people for filling spaces
between the chimney and walls to prevent fires. They are used as Chinking materials.
II. Neckara complanata and Sphagnum mixed with tar (In Scottish Highlands) is used for
plugging the seams.
Bryophytes form an important part of vegetation in cold temperate regions of the world including
Himalayas. Studies on the uses of bryophytes in the daily lives of the native people have revealed
that in these regions’ bryophytes are widely uses as medicine, construction materials, insect
repellents, pads and stuffing, packing, chinking materials and smoke filters.
1. Medicine:
In the ancient times bryophytes were used as herbal medicines in various parts of the
world.
1.1. Northern Montana (USA), Polytrichum juniperinum is used for preparing various
medicines.
1.2. Kumaon region (North-Western Himalayas), Marchantia polymorpha and M. palmata
are used for boils and abscesses. Also, Mosses are used in ointment for cuts, burns and
wounds.
1.3. China, 30+ species of Bryophytes have curative agents.
1.4. Rhodobryum giganteum is used to cure “Angina” (an attack of constricting pain). Also,
R. roseum is used in treatment of cardio-vascular diseases and nervousness.
1.5. Certain products of bryophytes inhibit the growth of micro-organisms. Three
prenylbibenzyls from Radula spp. inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus.
1.6. Many species of bryophytes have been shown to possess antitumor activity. The first
antitumor active compound, diplophylline, was obtained from liverworts. This
compound shows significant activity against human carcinoma. Antitumor
sesquiterpenoids have also been isolated from many liverworts.
1.7. For centuries, Sphagnum has been used as absorbent dressing. It was first used on
large scale during the Russo-Japanese war, 1904-1905. Following are the advantages of
Sphagnum dressing over cotton.
• They absorb 16-20 times their own dry weight of liquid, whereas cotton dressings
could only absorb 4-6 times.
• They were cool and soothing because the moss is porous. A dressing was found to
be comparatively dry for 24 hours after an operation in cases where the wound had
bled quite freely.
• The dressing could be left on for up to 2-3 days which is much longer than cotton
ones.
• Sphagnum itself has mild antiseptic properties not possessed by cotton.
1.8. Plant pathogens: Liverwort extract – Herbertus aduncus inhibits the growth of some
plant pathogenic fungi. Many moss species – Dicranium scopariun and D. japonicum
contain some rare fatty acids which completely inhibit the growth of the fungi causing
rice blast, Pyricularia oryzae.
2. Construction Materials:
In areas with wood scarcity, tiny bryophytes are commonly utilized for various activities like
construction of houses and for their furnishing.
I. Fontinallis antipyretica (aquatic moss) is used by Nordic people for filling spaces
between the chimney and walls to prevent fires. They are used as Chinking materials.
II. Neckara complanata and Sphagnum mixed with tar (In Scottish Highlands) is used for
plugging the seams.
