This is a massive, clustering fishtail palm known for its towering stature and bold, architectural presence. It forms multiple thick trunks that rise upright and lack a true crownshaft, with leaf bases clasping the upper stem before shedding cleanly. The crown is composed of enormous bipinnate leaves with the unmistakable jagged, “fishtail” leaflet tips that give the genus its name, creating a dramatic and slightly wild silhouette. Its inflorescences are among the largest of any palm, emerging sequentially from the upper nodes downward and carrying countless small cream-colored flowers. These mature into round fruits that ripen to red, marking the palm’s gradual progression toward its eventual monocarpic flowering cycle. This Himalayan form is especially notable for its adaptation to cooler, montane conditions compared to most giant tropical palms.