Dioon spinulosum
Dioon spinulosum
Safety & Hazards
We have no specific information for this species, but most if not all members of this genus are believed to contain toxins. The two main toxic compounds that have been identified are cycasin and macrozamin. When ingested in sufficient quantities, these compounds are extremely poisonous to humans and many other animals, and have been shown to cause liver damage and cancer. Cycasin and macrozamin have a cumulative effect upon the body and are suspected of causing neurological disorders when ingested in small amounts over long periods of time. There is a long history of human use of this genus as a starch-rich food, but it should be noted that the plants needed to be treated in various ways in order to remove any toxic principles. Caution should be exercised even with properly prepared foods, since even then regular consumption may lead to severe health problems and death. Since many of these species are becoming increasingly rare in the wild, this is probably a food best left to times of food shortage when other, better foods, are not available[ 1935 Title The Cycads Publication Author Whitelock L.M. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2002 ISBN 0-88192-522-5 Description An excellent book dealing with the eleven different genera and almost 300 species of plants we know as Cycads. There are detailed descriptions and a host of other information for each species. , K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].
Botanical Description
Dioon spinulosum is a slow-growing, evergreen palm-like plant producing an upright, unbranched stem up to 10 metres tall and 40cm in diameter, topped by a crown of numerous, large,arching leaves that can each be 150 - 200cm long on mature plants[ 990 Title The Cycad Pages Publication Author Website http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/PlantNet/cycad/wlist.html Publisher Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Year 2012 ISBN Description A website dedicated to the various species of Cycad, with a comprehensive description of all the known species (as of 2012). At present (2015), the site is still running but is no longer being updated , 1935 Title The Cycads Publication Author Whitelock L.M. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2002 ISBN 0-88192-522-5 Description An excellent book dealing with the eleven different genera and almost 300 species of plants we know as Cycads. There are detailed descriptions and a host of other information for each species. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. The leaves are harvested for use as decorations and the plants are often grown as ornamentals[ 1935 Title The Cycads Publication Author Whitelock L.M. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2002 ISBN 0-88192-522-5 Description An excellent book dealing with the eleven different genera and almost 300 species of plants we know as Cycads. There are detailed descriptions and a host of other information for each species. ]. Dioon spinulosum is affected by severe habitat destruction as a result of farming, ranching and the creation of reservoirs. There has also been severe over-collection of the plant from the wild in the past. Data from known populations of Dioon spinulosum indicates a decline of between 50 - 90% in different subpopulations, with an estimated overall decline of 70% over the past 2 generations. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2010)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].