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Dioon edule

Accession Count: 9
Common Name: palma de la virgen, virgin's palm, chestnut dioon
Family Name: Zamiaceae
Botanical Name: Dioon edule
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Dioon aculeatum, Dioon imbricatum, Dioon strobilaceum, Macrozamia littoralis, Macrozamia pectinata, Platyzamia rigida, Zamia maeleni
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Dioon edule is a cycad, and a perennial accent plant. Its leaves are arching and three to five feet long. Its leaflets are also long, and dull blue-green in color. Compared to the Japanese sago palm (Cycas revoluta) the rosettes of D. edule are stiffer and more formal. Even though its trunk can eventually reach three or more feet in height, palma de la virgen is normally seen with a short, thick trunk less than one foot tall. D. edule does not produce flowers, instead producing a singular cone in the center of the plant.
Compound: Dio edu
Geographic Origin: Mexico
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
D. edule, known commonly as the Chestnut Dioon or Palma de la Virgen, is native to the mountains of eastern Mexico. It is distributed along the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range in Northeastern Mexico (1). They generally grow at an altitude of 500-1000 ft in harsh and dry areas with shallow soils.
Cultivation Notes:
From the genus Dioon, this plant is "two-egged," meaning its seeds grow in pairs (1).  D. edule is slow growing and drought resistant, though it grows best in moist soil (3). Its wide leaves make a natural sunlight filter, decreasing the ground temperature (2). D. edule grows well in full sunlight, and partially shaded locations (3). Hardy down to 15oF. The old leaves of palma de la virgen should be removed, and supplemental water and fertilizer should be given to the plant as new leaves appear. Water one to four times monthly. 
Ethnobotany: The most common use of D. edule is as a landscaping plant or garden accent in tropical and sub-tropical areas. As an accent plant, it can also be grown in a container. Since the young leaves of the palma de la virgen are so tender, they are often eaten by caterpillars and other insects (5). Currently, D. edule is threatened by habitat destruction. Over-collection by those who wish to use  D. edule as a landscape ornamental is also a concern (1).
Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Grow Season: ForeSummer
Flower Season:
Color: Green
Function: Accent
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Moderate Water Use
Citations:

  1. Wikipedia

  2. NDF Workshop Case Studies

  3. Floridata

  4. Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

  5. Urban Landscape Committee. Desert Shrubs. Arizona Native Plant Society, 1990. 

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Dioon edule