Chestnut dioon

Dioon edule

Family: ZamiaceaeZones: 8-11 per UF/IFAS

Pet & Human Safety

Hazard to people and pets

Hazardous parts

leaf tips

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Leaf tips are quite spiny (Gardening Solutions).

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

ASPCA's Sago Palm page covers Cycas revoluta and Zamia species and lists 'cycads' as a common name, but it does not name Dioon. Treat as a cycad and keep pets away until a Dioon specific verdict is added. Basis: cautious group-extended: ASPCA Cycads page names Cycas and Zamia, not Dioon.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 8-11 per UF/IFAS
Water needs: low
Mature size: Up to 8 ft tall; old plants 6 to 8 ft; spread not given

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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