Zamia pumila
 
Common Names Coontie, Florida Arrowroot, Seminole Bread, Coontie Palm (misnomer)
 
Zones 8B–11
 
A primitive cycad native to Florida, the Caribbean, and parts of Central America, Zamia pumila is the only cycad native to the continental U.S. Its fern-like foliage, subterranean stem, and tolerance for drought and shade make it a versatile choice for native landscapes. Historically used by Indigenous peoples to produce flour, it now serves as a keystone plant for butterfly gardens and pine rockland restorations.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Clumping; slow-growing; subterranean stem
Height: Typically 1–3 ft (30–90 cm); spread 2–4 ft
Leaves: Pinnate; stiff, leathery leaflets; dark green; 2–3 ft long
Stem: Underground; starchy; may branch with age
Cones: Dioecious; male cones slender and cylindrical; female cones larger with bright orange seeds
Ecology: Larval host for Atala (Eumaeus atala) and Zamia moth (Pharaxonotha zamiae); seeds consumed by birds and small mammals; pollinated by specialized beetles
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to deep shade
Watering: Low; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy, loamy, or limestone-based; well-drained; neutral to alkaline pH
Temperature: Hardy to ~20°F (–6°C); evergreen in frost-free zones
Humidity: High tolerance; thrives in subtropical conditions
Propagation: Seed or division; offsets can be transplanted; slow germination
Tolerance: Drought, shade, urban conditions; not salt tolerant
 
Landscape Use Ideal for pine rockland restorations, butterfly gardens, and shaded native beds. Use as a groundcover, low hedge, or accent around palms and walkways. Pairs well with Psychotria nervosa, Tillandsia fasciculata, and Senna mexicana var. chapmanii.