توضیحات
نخل زامبی گونه ای کمیاب از نخل ها بومی جزیره هیسپانیول (هایتی و دومینیکن) در قاره آمریکای مرکزی است
بخاطر ظاهر خاص و مقاوم بودن این گیاه و رشد در خاک شور و نمکی ساحلی ، در آمریکا محبوب و پرطرفدار شده است
ارتفاع گیاه حدود 2 تا 3 متر میشود و تنه آن خارهای متقارن و زیبایی دارد
Zombia antillarum, commonly known as the zombie palm, is a species of palm tree and the only member of the genus Zombia. It is endemic to the island of Hispaniola (both the Dominican Republic and Haiti) in the Greater Antilles. Usually found in dry, hilly areas of northern and southern Haiti and the northwest of the Dominican Republic, Z. antillarum is a relatively short fan palm with clustered stems and a very distinctive appearance caused by its persistent spiny leaf sheaths. Threatened by habitat destruction in Haiti, Z. antillarum is a popular ornamental species due to its distinctive appearance, low maintenance requirements and salt tolerance
The plant is a popular ornamental, and is valued for its unusual appearance, low maintenance requirements, small stature and salt tolerance. It is recommended for low-maintenance landscaping in South Florida. Leaves of Z. antillarum are used to weave hats, make brooms and the seeds, which have a protein content of 2.8–4.9%, are used to feed pigs. South of Sabaneta in the Dominican Republic, the petioles are reportedly used to mix manioc flour for making cassava bread
In 1821, Michel Étienne Descourtilz reported that the wood was used for snuff boxes and tobacco cases, that the kernel of the seed was used to treat scurvy, and that the sap had been used by Taino Amerindians for its powerful properties
Fabienne Boncy Taylor and Joel C. Timyan explored the connection between the “zombie palm” and beliefs about zombies. They found that oil extracted from the seeds has been described as a “sense-activator” by one ethnographic source and can be used to “awaken” a zombie, and that a dwelling with thatch made from the leaves of the plant could prevent zombies from being used to spy on its occupants. Other sources, however, were reportedly unaware of these uses. Taylor and Timyan concluded that we were able to find a link, albeit weak, between the name Zombia and Haitian culture, even though we could not verify that this species is typically associated with zombies
