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(Dioon spinulosum)
Giant Dioon (Dioon spinulosum)
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David J. Stang
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
David J. Stang
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CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo by: David J. Stang | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: David Stang | Publisher: Wikipedia Commons
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Dioon spinulosum, commonly known as Giant Dioon, is an evergreen cycad native to the tropical rainforests of Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico. It is endemic to limestone cliffs and rocky hillsides but is more accurately described as growing in seasonally dry tropical forests. This species is one of the tallest cycads, capable of reaching up to 12 meters in its natural habitat but more commonly seen at heights of 1-3.5 meters in cultivation. The Giant Dioon is characterized by its large, stiff, and glossy leaves that can be up to 2 meters long, with leaflets bearing small spines on the margins, giving it a distinctive appearance. The plant produces cones rather than flowers, with male and female reproductive structures on separate plants.
The Giant Dioon is valued for its dramatic foliage and architectural form, making it a striking focal point in subtropical and tropical landscapes. It is used as a specimen plant in botanical gardens and private collections. While it prefers well-drained soil, it is adaptable to various soil types, including nutrient-poor and limestone-rich soils. It is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering when young. The Giant Dioon thrives in full sun to part shade and requires protection from frost, as it is hardy only in USDA Zones 9B to 11. It is generally pest-free but can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Giant Dioon is valued for its dramatic foliage and architectural form, making it a striking focal point in subtropical and tropical landscapes. It is used as a specimen plant in botanical gardens and private collections. While it prefers well-drained soil, it is adaptable to various soil types, including nutrient-poor and limestone-rich soils. It is drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering when young. The Giant Dioon thrives in full sun to part shade and requires protection from frost, as it is hardy only in USDA Zones 9B to 11. It is generally pest-free but can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 4-40 feet
- Width: 4-12 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Potted Plant
Natural Habitat
Seasonally dry tropical forests in Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico
Other Names
Common Names: Gum Palm
Scientific Names: Dioon spinulosum
GBIF Accepted Name: Dioon spinulosum Dyer ex Eichler