Dioon edule

Description

Dioon edule, the chestnut dioon, is a cycad native to Mexico, also known as palma de la virgen. Cycads are among the oldest seed plants and even pre-date the dinosaurs. It belongs to the Zamiaceae plant family within the order Cycadales. The genus name "Dioon" means "two-egged", referring to the two ovules (see photo below). Two subspecies are known, the nominate subspecies growing in a moister environment than the other: - Dioon edule subsp. angustifolium - Dioon edule subsp. edule