Economic Importance of Lichens
1) Food for man and animals
Lichens are rich in polysaccharides, oils, phenolic compounds, certain enzymes and vitamins.
a) Lecanora esculenta(Bread of Heaven or Munnah): It is an edible lichen used in Israel and North Africa.
b) Cladonia rangifernia(Reindeer Moss): It grows to 10 inches height and serves as fodder for reindeer and cattle.
c) Parmelia: Used in curry prepration in India.
d) Certraria islandica: Used as food along with wheat flour in Iceland.
e) Everria: Used in making bread in Egypt.
2) Ecological Importance
Lichens are pioneers in colonization on rocky habitats. They produce lichen acids that dissolves and chelate the minerals. Lime stone rocks are dissolved easily. When the lichen die, its decaying remains with the rock particles to form a soil. Mosses and lower plants grow in such soils.
3) Medicinal Importance
a) Peltigera canina(dog lichen) is used as a medicine for hydrophobia.
b) Lobaria pulmonaria(lung wort) is used for lung diseases.
c) Xanthoria parietina is useful for jaundice.
d) Paramelia sexatilis is useful for treating epilepsy.
e) Usnea and Cladonia possess a broad spectrum antibiotic value.
4) Industrial Uses
a) Lichens are useful in alcohol preparation, since it contains carbohydrates known as lichenin.
b) Racella tinctoria gives purple colour dyes.
c) Racella and Lecanora yield the litmus, a colouring matter known as orchid-dye. This dye is used in colouring woolen and silk fabrics.
d) Eyernia prunasti, Lobaria palmonaria and Ramalina are used to make perfumes, since they contain aromatic compound