By Liliana Usvat
Blog 345-365
Common Names: giant dioon, gum palm
Description
Dioon Cycad, D. Spinulosum, Cycadaceae. Zamiaceae family, native to Mexico. All Cycads are gymnosperms ancient simple mega-sporophylls, palm-like plants, that lived in the Permian era, over 200 million years ago. Dioon Cycads are also known as Blue Dioon spinulosa these cycads are remarkable exotic palm-like plants facing extinction, thus protected at Hacienda Chichen Botanical Gardens.
Cycads are a distinct monophyletic group, defined by the presence of cycasin, the frond leaves toothed margins, huge sporophylls cylindrical cones covered in golden short hairs, and the absence of auxiliary buds and stout trunks. There are three cycad families: Stangeriaceae, Zamiaceae, Cycadaceae. Further reading and photos of Dioon Cycad Palm here.
The term cycad is used to designate a group of unusual cone-bearing plants that were common during the time of the dinosaurs. Most species are endangered and some are extinct in the wild.
The giant dioon, Dioon spinulosum, grows in rocky, limestone evergreen forests in tropical Mexico (Oaxaca, Veracruz, Yucatan) at 300-1500 ft (91-457 m) above sea level.
Conditions for Reforestation
Giant dioon will grow in soils having few nutrients, in limestone-rich soils and on moderate slopes. Although tolerant of poor soils, the giant dioon?s growth can be greatly improved through the application of fertilizers.
Most growers find that a fertilizer having an even NPK balance, and supplemented with trace elements, provides a good start for cycads. Cycads may then be kept growing well with regular applications of a balanced slow release formulation such as Osmocote® or Dynamite®.
Light: The giant dioon may be grown in partial shade, filtered sun or full sun. Giant dioon prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun. Moisture: The giant dioon prefers moist to wet soil with good drainage and regular watering for optimal growth.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 9B - 11. Mature and established plants have been reported to tolerate temperatures down to 25ºF (-3.9ºC) for short time periods, without incurring significant foliage damage.
Giant dioon is considered exceptionally easy to grow - it has not only outlived the dinosaurs but can survive many adverse forces of nature and oversights of the gardening impaired!
The genus name Dioon comes from the Greek, meaning "two + egg", because the seeds are borne in pairs. The species name of spinulosum is derived from the Latin, meaning spiny or thorny. The leaves (fronds) of the giant dioon are used in decorations and arrangements.
Root System: Some underground roots can be retracted to reduce damage caused by fire. Some roots contain cyanobacteria, which aid the plant by having the bacteria fix Nitrogen for the plant’s use.
Cones (male): Cylindrical, pale brown, 15-40 centimeters in length and 6-10 centimeters in diameter
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Cones (female): Globose/ovular, up to 12 inches long, rare in cultivation (unfertilized cones grow 20-35 centimeters long, 12-20 centimeters wide, and are pale grey)
Leaves: The palm-like leaves are 3-6 feet long with up to 160 leaflets per leaf “stalk”. The leaflets are lanceolate (lance-shaped), pointy, and up to 5 inches long. The leaves and leaflets range from grayish-green to bluish-green.
Seeds require stratification: “warm stratification” helps with germination
Monoecious or Dioecious: Dioecious (male and female reproductive organs on one plant)
Uses
Cycads have been used for traditional purposes for centuries, mainly as a source of starch during droughts and famines
Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJETXU0IdcA
Blog 345-365
Common Names: giant dioon, gum palm
Description
Dioon Cycad, D. Spinulosum, Cycadaceae. Zamiaceae family, native to Mexico. All Cycads are gymnosperms ancient simple mega-sporophylls, palm-like plants, that lived in the Permian era, over 200 million years ago. Dioon Cycads are also known as Blue Dioon spinulosa these cycads are remarkable exotic palm-like plants facing extinction, thus protected at Hacienda Chichen Botanical Gardens.
Cycads are a distinct monophyletic group, defined by the presence of cycasin, the frond leaves toothed margins, huge sporophylls cylindrical cones covered in golden short hairs, and the absence of auxiliary buds and stout trunks. There are three cycad families: Stangeriaceae, Zamiaceae, Cycadaceae. Further reading and photos of Dioon Cycad Palm here.
The term cycad is used to designate a group of unusual cone-bearing plants that were common during the time of the dinosaurs. Most species are endangered and some are extinct in the wild.
The giant dioon, Dioon spinulosum, grows in rocky, limestone evergreen forests in tropical Mexico (Oaxaca, Veracruz, Yucatan) at 300-1500 ft (91-457 m) above sea level.
Conditions for Reforestation
Giant dioon will grow in soils having few nutrients, in limestone-rich soils and on moderate slopes. Although tolerant of poor soils, the giant dioon?s growth can be greatly improved through the application of fertilizers.
Most growers find that a fertilizer having an even NPK balance, and supplemented with trace elements, provides a good start for cycads. Cycads may then be kept growing well with regular applications of a balanced slow release formulation such as Osmocote® or Dynamite®.
Light: The giant dioon may be grown in partial shade, filtered sun or full sun. Giant dioon prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun. Moisture: The giant dioon prefers moist to wet soil with good drainage and regular watering for optimal growth.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 9B - 11. Mature and established plants have been reported to tolerate temperatures down to 25ºF (-3.9ºC) for short time periods, without incurring significant foliage damage.
Giant dioon is considered exceptionally easy to grow - it has not only outlived the dinosaurs but can survive many adverse forces of nature and oversights of the gardening impaired!
The genus name Dioon comes from the Greek, meaning "two + egg", because the seeds are borne in pairs. The species name of spinulosum is derived from the Latin, meaning spiny or thorny. The leaves (fronds) of the giant dioon are used in decorations and arrangements.
Root System: Some underground roots can be retracted to reduce damage caused by fire. Some roots contain cyanobacteria, which aid the plant by having the bacteria fix Nitrogen for the plant’s use.
Cones (male): Cylindrical, pale brown, 15-40 centimeters in length and 6-10 centimeters in diameter
\
Cones (female): Globose/ovular, up to 12 inches long, rare in cultivation (unfertilized cones grow 20-35 centimeters long, 12-20 centimeters wide, and are pale grey)
Leaves: The palm-like leaves are 3-6 feet long with up to 160 leaflets per leaf “stalk”. The leaflets are lanceolate (lance-shaped), pointy, and up to 5 inches long. The leaves and leaflets range from grayish-green to bluish-green.
Seeds require stratification: “warm stratification” helps with germination
Monoecious or Dioecious: Dioecious (male and female reproductive organs on one plant)
Uses
Cycads have been used for traditional purposes for centuries, mainly as a source of starch during droughts and famines
Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJETXU0IdcA
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