The thatched leaf stems of zombie palm are lined with long, vicious spines that are said to be used as voodoo doll needles. This unusual, dryland palm is clump-forming and native to the Caribbean island of Hispañola, which houses the independent states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Wild populations are not common but typically found growing along dry, forested slopes and ridges. On occasion, specimens can be found in moister, lowland sites.

The many upright trunks of zombie palm are heavily cloaked in fibers and downward pointing, spine-like "needles" borne in spiraled rings. The leaf fronds are fan-like, glossy or dull green on top and silvery gray-green beneath. In summer, a short clustered stem of tiny white flowers will appear from the crownshaft of each trunk among the fronds. Bees and other insects visit the blossoms and attractive white, grape-sized fruits follow. (learn2grow.com)

Zombia antillarum is a small palm which grows in dense, multi-stemmed clumps with stems up to 3 metres (10 ft) tall and 5 centimetres (2 in) in diameter. Individuals bear nine to 12 fan-shaped (or palmate) leaves which are greyish-white on the lower surface. The leaf sheaths remain attached to the stem after the leaf drops off. The intervening tissue gradually degrades, and the woody vascular tissue splits, forming the spines which are characteristic of the species. The inflorescence, which is shorter than the leaves, bears bisexual flowers with 9–12 stamens and a single carpel. Fruit are white in colour (although orange-fruited individuals are also known to exist), oblong or pear-shaped, 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) in diameter and bear a single seed. The flowers and fruit are borne among the leaves due to the fact that the inflorescences are shorter than the leaves. Trees can produce 5000 seeds per year, predominantly in July and August. The species is believed to be wind pollinated.