Dioon edule Lindl. 1843

Common name(s): Chestnut Dioon, Virgin's Palm

Family: Zamiaceae Synonym(s): Dioon aculeatum, Dioon imbricatum Miq., Dioon strobilaceum Lem. ex A.DC., Dioon strobilosum, Macrozamia littorali, Macrozamia pectinata, Platyzamia rigida Zucc., Zamia maelenii Miq., Dioon edulef. imbricatum Miq., Miq., Dioon edule f. lanuginosum Wittm., J. Schust.

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 4th October, 2021 at Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Stem (Upper)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Frond (Front)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Frond

Taken by Ken Harrington

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Palm / Palm Ally Properties

Origin(s)

Mexico

Veracruz: Indigenous
Nuevo Leon: Indigenous
Tamaulipas: Indigenous
San Luis P: Indigenous
Hidalgo: Indigenous

Plant Type

Cycad, Palm Ally

Cycad,

Palm Ally

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Warm, Tropical, Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna

Temperate Warm,

Tropical,

Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light

Sun - Full,

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light

Habitat Range(s)

Desert Vegetation, Open Woodlands, Rainforest - Monsoonal

Desert Vegetation,

Open Woodlands,

Rainforest - Monsoonal

Habitat Zone(s)

Dry areas, Exposed, Exposed Stony embankments, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Open areas, Ridges, Rocky, Scattered, Well drained

Dry areas,

Exposed,

Exposed Stony embankments,

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,

Open areas,

Ridges,

Rocky,

Scattered,

Well drained

Mature Height

2.5-3m

Mature Width

1-2m

Growth Rate

Very Slow

Plant Shape

Clump - Mounded

Standard Crown - Open

Clump - Mounded,

Standard Crown - Open

Life Span

500-600yrs, 600-1000yrs

500-600yrs,

600-1000yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (front)

Green-grey, Blue-green

Green-grey,

Blue-green

Frond Colour(s) (back)

Green-grey, Blue-green, Green Mid

Green-grey,

Blue-green,

Green Mid

Frond Texture (front)

Leathery

Waxy

Leathery,

Waxy

Rigid , Stiff

Rigid,

Stiff

Frond Texture (back)

Leathery

Rigid , Stiff

Rigid,

Stiff

Frond Length

1-1.25m, 1.25-1.5m

1-1.25m,

1.25-1.5m

Frond Width

500-600mm, 600-700mm

500-600mm,

600-700mm

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Shapes

Pinnate / Parapinnate

Frond Arrangement

Alternate

Trunk / Stem Properties

Colour(s) (Upper/Crown Shaft)

Brown Dark

Colour(s) (Base)

Brown Dark

Texture (Upper)

Rough / Scabrous

Hairs-dense

Texture (Base)

Rough / Scabrous

Hairs-dense

Inflorescence (Flower) Properties

Gender: Male

Colour(s)

Brown Light

Flower Shape(s)

Male Staminate Flower

Flower Size(s) Length

10-12.5mm, 12.5-15mm

10-12.5mm,

12.5-15mm

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangements

Male Inflorescence Cone

Pollinator(s)

Weevils

Male and Female Flowers Borne

On Separate Plant

Gender: Female

Colour(s)

Grey Dark, Grey Light

Grey Dark,

Grey Light

Flower Shape(s)

Female or Pistillate Flower

Flower Size(s) Length

10-12.5mm, 12.5-15mm

10-12.5mm,

12.5-15mm

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangements

Female Inflorescence Cone

Erect

Pollinator(s)

Weevils

Male and Female Flowers Borne

On Separate Plant

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Type

Cone Simple

Shape(s)

Oblong

Length

250-300mm

Aroma

None

Season of Fruiting

All Year Round

Maturation for Fruiting

8 mths., 9 mths.

8 mths.,

9 mths.

Root Properties

Type

Collaroid Root

Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root

Collaroid Root,

Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root

Invasiveness

Low

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Stony

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Stony

pH Range(s)

Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Condition(s)

Moist-Dry

Poor , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained

Poor,

Shallow,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Waterlogging Class

W0 – Low tolerance

Watering Requirements

WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering, WR6 - soil may remain dry

WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,

WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering,

WR6 - soil may remain dry

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

None

Bird Attraction

None

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Good

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Smog Tolerance

Good

Snow Tolerance

None

Landscape Use

Good

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Container, Foliage-Interesting, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Formal, Garden-Informal, Garden-Mediterranean, Garden-Tropical, Irritating-Leaves, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Specimen, Sunny Dry, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Parrot's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Garden-Container,

Foliage-Interesting,

Garden-Coastal,

Garden-Foliage,

Garden-Formal,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Mediterranean,

Garden-Tropical,

Irritating-Leaves,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Dry,

Shady Moist,

Specimen,

Sunny Dry,

Sunny Moist,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's,

Tolerant-Parrot's,

Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Humidity Requirements

Low, Medium, High

Low,

Medium,

High

Fertilising Requirements

FR6, FR11

FR6,

FR11

Wind Tolerance

Strong Winds

General Notes

Cycads are one of the oldest seed baring plants that even pre-date dinosaurs. Very cold tolerant, drought hardy and adaptable it can be planted as a specimen or as a group this cycad can make a great statement in the garden or landscape.

There is two sub species

Dioon edule subsp. angustifolium
Dioon edule subsp. edule

Awarded Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit