This is a more tropical appearing species of Dioon and is native to Central America in Nicaragua and Honduras. There it is found among thick deciduous forests. Leaves are long, green and arch minimally. In cross section the leaves are flat. They are similar to the lush leaves of Dioon spinulosum but typically, on mature plants, lack any spines on the leaflets. Trunks ten to be somewhat narrow, usually under twelve inches. But, a mature plant in habitat can reach heights of over 20 feet in a century or two. An attractive thing about this species are the super soft, wooly and yet fragile new leaves as they emerge (last photo). One is so tempted to feel them. Leaf color is green with a length of about six feet.
This is a super attractive plant for morning sun or strong filtered light. It is possible to grow it in half day coastal sun. Cold hardiness is into the low 20’s F. The plant shown is in a 15g and has a caudex size of ten inches. We do have both smaller and larger plants for sale. All can be mail ordered or delivered within the U.S. I’m showing you two nursery plants below with some garden photographs.
- MUSA MEKONG GIANT - November 9, 2024
- THE SNOWBUSH PLANT BREYNIA DISTICHA - November 9, 2024
- ENCEPHALARTOS MIDDELBURGENSIS VERY SOUGHT AFTER BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD - November 9, 2024