Dioon merolae
from Oaxaca, the so-called “Golden Dioon” is a more rare form of
Dioon merolae, similar to the more common form of
Dioon merolae - but faster growing and larger in most aspects (including the seeds which are up to 50% larger). It has a dense -
often golden - tomentum (fuzz - for you non-botanists) that covers the emerging new leaves. This larger
Dioon merolae is native
to the state of Oaxaca in Mexico.
The original form of Dioon merolae comes from the Chiapas state in Mexico. The Oaxaca form is found most predominantly near a
town called Santiago La Chiguiri. This species, which grows at high altitudes, is drought-resistant, sun-tolerant, cold-tolerant and heat-tolerant.