Coontie, like the magnolia, is an ancient species, so old (200 million years ago) that it predates bees and is pollinated by beetles. Easy to grow in Orlando and most anywhere in the South, it also plays host to the lovely Atala Eumaeus butterfly. The Zamia Palm Tree grows beautiful leaves similar in form to fern fronds. Planting them near a pool gives a jungle-like, lush feeling to the area and planting them among other trees and groundcover almost adds a mysterious ambience to the setting.
Florida is its native habitat and once, long ago they covered acres. Since the early 17th century they were discovered to be edible by the local Amerindian population, then further taken up as a food product by the Europeans, they became all but extinct. They are too gorgeous to lose, are they not? Keep a hillside covered with them and enjoy their delicate, graceful presence.
