Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

[3] Z. chigua grows as a small shrub or tree, with a wrinkled stem up to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) tall and 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in diameter.

Seeds are ovoid with a red sarcotesta (outer fleshy coat).

[5] Z. chigua is common in Chiriquí Province in Panama at 600 to 1,200 metres (2,000 to 3,900 ft) elevation, and in Choco Department in Colombia in lowland rain forests.

Stevenson states that Z. chigua probably grows on mountain slopes in Darien Province in Panama and in adjacent parts of Colombia, but had not been found there as of 2004.