Dioon spinulosum, giant dioon, or gum palm, is a cycad endemic to limestone cliffs and rocky hillsides in the tropical rainforests of Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico.[1][2] It is one of the tallest cycads in the world, growing to 12m in height. The tree is found at low elevations to 300 m above sea level.[1]
| Dioon spinulosum | |
|---|---|
| |
| A gum palm plant in Cocoa, Florida | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Cycadophyta |
| Class: | Cycadopsida |
| Order: | Cycadales |
| Family: | Zamiaceae |
| Genus: | Dioon |
| Species: | D. spinulosum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dioon spinulosum | |
Dioon spinulosum prefers well-drained soil with regular water. It will grow in soils containing few nutrients, in soils rich in limestone, and on slopes. It is hardy to USDA Zones 9B – 11.
Dioon spinulosum has pinnate leaves that grow to about 5–7 ft (1.5-2.1 m) in length and radiate out from the trunk. The 120-240 leaflets on each leaf are small and flat, have small thorns and taper to a sharp point.
References
edit- ^ a b Whitelock, Loran M. (2002). The Cycads. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 532. ISBN 978-0-88192-522-7.
- ^ Walters, Terrence; Osborne, Roy, eds. (2004). Cycad Classification: Concepts and Recommendations. Portland, Oregon: CAB International. p. 288. ISBN 978-0-85199-741-4.
External links
edit
- Encyclopædia Britannica Giant dioon.
- Michigan State University Horticulture [1].
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