This is a diminutive, solitary understory palm found naturally occurring along the banks of fast-flowing rivers and streams.  The palm develops a slender, smooth, pale-brown stem topped by a somewhat swollen pale-green crownshaft.  Its sparse crown contains seven or eight arching pinnate leaves with regularly arranged narrow, dark-green leaflets. The branched inflorescence bears creamy-white male flowers are notably fragrant. The female flowers are considerably larger and develop into slender, spindle-shaped to narrowly ellipsoidal fruits that turn from pale green to bright red when fully ripe.
One of the most fascinating things about this species is just how unusual its lifestyle is among palms. True rheophytic palms are relatively uncommon, and this species can grow immediately alongside rapidly flowing streams where vegetation may periodically be subjected to strong currents and flooding.