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

Rachis Features

Spine Sharp, Spine Basal

Spine Sharp,

Spine Basal

Pinna Shape(s) (Frondlet)

Linear

Subulate

Linear,

Subulate

Pinna Length (Frondlet)

100-150mm

Pinna Width (Frondlet)

1-5mm, 5-10mm

1-5mm,

5-10mm

Pinnae Arrangement

Uneven Pinnae

Pinnae Pairs / Frond

60-65, 70-75, 75-80, 80-85, 85-90

60-65,

70-75,

75-80,

80-85,

85-90

Pinnule Apice(s) (Leaflet)

Acute Narrowly

Aristate

Acute Narrowly,

Aristate

Pinnule Base(s) (Leaflet)

Truncate

Pinnule Margin(s) (Leaflet)

Entire

Pinnule Cross Section(s) (Leaflet)

Flat

Pinnule Venation (Leaflet)

Parallel

Pinnule Attachment (Leaflet)

Sessile

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

Cross Section

Terete

Diameter

300-350mm, 350-400mm

300-350mm,

350-400mm

Length

900mm-1m, 1-1.5m

900mm-1m,

1-1.5m

Features

Persistent Leaf Bases

Persistent Rough Leaf Bases

Persistent Leaf Bases,

Persistent Rough Leaf Bases

Construction

Pith Continuous

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

Arrangement Size(s)

150-175mm, 175-200mm, 200-225mm

150-175mm,

175-200mm,

200-225mm

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

Arrangement Size(s)

200-225mm, 225-250mm, 250-275mm, 275-300mm, 300-325mm, 325-350mm

200-225mm,

225-250mm,

250-275mm,

275-300mm,

300-325mm,

325-350mm

Pollinator(s)

Weevils

Male and Female Flowers Borne

On Separate Plant

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Type

Cone Simple

Shape(s)

Oblong

Outer Texture

Fluffy

Length

250-300mm

Aroma

None

Season of Fruiting

All Year Round

Maturation for Fruiting

8 mths., 9 mths.

8 mths.,

9 mths.

Seed Properties

Type

Nut

Colour

Cream

Shape(s)

Ovoid

Texture(s)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Size

25-30mm, 30-40mm, 40-50mm

25-30mm,

30-40mm,

40-50mm

Seed Dispersal

Gravity

Seed Number

200 +

Root Properties

Type

Collaroid Root

Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root

Collaroid Root,

Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root

Texture

Corky

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

Carbon Sequestration Potential

Low

Wood Density

Low < 600kg/c.m.

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Regrowth

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Good

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Smog Tolerance

Good

Snow Tolerance

None

Indigenous Use(s)

Seeds - Eaten roasted

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

Maintenance(s)

Dead Fronding

Pests/Diseases

Scale

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

Dormancy

Winter

Humidity Requirements

Low, Medium, High

Low,

Medium,

High

Vulnerability

NT - Near Threatened

Altitude Range - Habitat

0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m, 700-800m, 800-900m, 900-1,000m, 1,000-1,250m, 1,250-1,500m

0-100m,

100-200m,

200-300m,

300-400m,

400-500m,

500-600m,

600-700m,

700-800m,

800-900m,

900-1,000m,

1,000-1,250m,

1,250-1,500m

Annual Precipitation Range

175mm, 200mm

175mm,

200mm

Fertilising Requirements

FR6, FR11

FR6,

FR11

Wind Tolerance

Strong Winds

Poisonous To

Humans, Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs, Livestock

Humans,

Dogs,

Cats,

Horses,

Cattle,

Sheep,

Goats,

Pigs,

Livestock

Poisonous Parts

Leaves, Seeds

Leaves,

Seeds

Propagation

Fresh Seed, Offsets

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

Propagation Notes

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Fresh Seed

Sowing

Spring

Material Preparation

The seed takes 6 - 9 mths to ripen. Pick the fruit when it is when it is starting to open up. Peel off the outer flesh or if too hard, soak the seeds in warm water for 48 - 72 hours to loosen the outer flesh. Change the water daily. Discard any seeds that float to the top, keep the ones that sink. Floating seeds won't germinate as they lack an endosperm. Allow to dry. Store in a cool, dark place. It is best to sow the seed as soon as possible for best results.

Viability:- 6 - 12 months

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite + 1 part coarse washed sand

Treatment

If the seed has been stored for awhile, soak in a bowl or bucket of water overnight to soften the outer coat. Fill Forestry or P2 Tubes or 100mm pots or 150mm deep seedling trays, then press the seeds 2/3 of the way into the mix, till just the flat side is above the mix surface, water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place in hothouse. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

In warmer climates, place outside in a shade house and keep moist but not too wet.

Viable seeds/gram:- (90% germination rate on fresh picked seed)

Germination time:- 4 - 24 months

Pricking out:- 2 - 3 months after germination

Pot Mix:- 1 part Premium Potting Soil + 1 part coarse washed sand

Place in shaded warm position and ready to plant out when whorl of leaves appear 4-8 years

Offsets

Division

Spring

Material Preparation

Select offsets that have a whorl of fronds in health condition and 1/4 - 1/3 the size of the mother plant. With a sharp knife, slice down the side of the stem of the mother plant to remove the offset with roots attached where possible. Place to one side and allow the wound to callous for 4 - 6 hours.

Propagating Mix

1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed sand

Treatment

1/2 fill the 140 - 200mm pot with mix. Hold the offset over the soil mix in the pot and back fill around the offset and firm down. The offset should stand firm and the whorl of leaves be approximately 20-30mm above the mix, not too deep or it will rot. Water the pots of mix thoroughly with Previcur fungicide. Place in cold house, keep moist. Maintain cold house environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 75-95 %

Nursery Stock 75-95 %

Rooting time:- Field Stock 3 - 6 mths

Nursery Stock 3 - 6 mths