This small solitary palm has a green trunk with conspicuous pale recent leaf scars. It is usually heavily adorned with epiphytes and moss. it is topped with a compact crown of 7-12 ascending and slightly arching fronds and a bulging green crownshaft. The fronds bear wide, well-spaced, generally erect, dark green leaflets. The inflorescence emerges from beneath the crownshaft, and may be large and heavily laden. the fruit is large and orange-red in color when mature. this species is considered threatened due to habitat loss.