An erect palm up to1 meter in diameter and 20 meter high. Leaves are fan-shaped, large, rounded in outline, up to 3 meters in length, and palmately split into about 100, lanceolate, 1.5 to 6 centimeter wide, segments extending one-haft to two-thirds to the base; the petioles are very stout up to 3 meter long, 20 centimeters thick at the base, and their margins armed with very stout black spines. Inflorescence is pyramidal, up to 7 meters in height, the lower branches up to 3.5 meters long, the upper gradually shorter, the ultimate branches up to1 meter in the length. Flowers are numerous, greenish-white, and 5 to 6 millimeter in diameter. Fruits are globose, fleshy, 2 to 2.5 centimeter in diameter, and the seeds are hard, and about 1.5 Centimeters in diameter.

Bureau of Plant Industry

The young plants are brewed in decoction and administered in case of febrile catarrh. The starch from the plant is recommended for bowel complaint, and the juice of the roots for diarrhea. The roots are chewed for coughs.