Zombia antillarum

This attractive, fan-leaved palm with its spiny clustering stems is endemic to Hispaniola. The clustered stems grow to about 10 ft high. The stems are covered with beautifully woven persistent fibrous leaf sheaths. The fibers of each of these leaf sheath remains bend downward or at 90 degrees to the stem terminating in a ring of needle-line projections 2-4 inches long. The leaf blades are 2 x 3 feet, dull green above and silvery green beneath. The infructescences are about 18 inches long and bear globular 1-inch, white fruits.

Weight: 1.8 oz.