commonly known zombie palm species palm tree member genus endemic island hispaniola usually found dry hilly areas northern southern haiti northwest dominican_republic relatively short fan palm stems distinctive appearance caused persistent leaf threatened habitat destruction haiti popular ornamental species distinctive appearance low maintenance requirements salt tolerance description small palm grows dense multi stemmed stems metres tall centimetres diameter individuals bear fan shaped leaves white lower surface leaf remain attached stem leaf drops intervening tissue gradually woody tissue splits forming spines characteristic species shorter leaves bears bisexual flowers single fruit white colour orange individuals known exist pear shaped diameter bear single seed flowers fruit borne leaves fact shorter leaves trees produce seeds year predominantly july august species believed wind taxonomy genus includes species earliest description species found work french physician botanist placed genus italian naturalist independently described species placing genus recognising distinct placed genus american botanist erected genus accommodate species described generated combination selecting genus bailey noted endemic palm bear latin indicative exotic relation country people american botanist moved new genus generated fourth combination description pre dates based description priority addition cook invalid apparently formally described edition placed genus subfamily tribe classification palm family subsequent phylogenetic analysis showed members closely related consequence related genera places tribe tribe appears closely related genera species remainder genus sister taxon group moved new genus dominican botanist described variety distinguished typical variety smaller pear shaped fruits dirty yellow colour named variety var recent workers considered form distinctive maintain distinct variety common names called zombie palm palm coined palm appearance trunk haiti usually known french zombie fan palm french fan palm called common term fan haiti names fan palm wild fan palm specific species species dominican_republic species called species description species distribution endemic island hispaniola northern haiti grows tributaries south found eastern edge species occurs northwestern parts dominican_republic grows dry hilly regions low elevation usually slopes ridges generally absent valley bottoms dominican_republic found sea level metres sea level associated soils found soils haiti grows association variety including dominican_republic grows association conservation status listed threatened iucn red list review status west indian classified vulnerable based projected loss population century haiti species threatened habitat destruction land cleared agriculture destroyed livestock uses plant popular ornamental valued unusual appearance low maintenance requirements small stature salt tolerance recommended low maintenance landscaping leaves hats seeds protein content feed pigs south dominican_republic reportedly mix flour making bread reported wood boxes tobacco cases seed treat powerful properties explored connection zombie palm beliefs zombies found oil extracted seeds described sense source zombie dwelling leaves plant prevent zombies spy occupants sources reportedly unaware uses taylor concluded able find link albeit weak culture verify species typically associated zombies
Zombia