This species is a small, solitary understory palm native to the Central American rainforest. It is quite distinctive with its long, attractive, bifid leaves, that can grow up to 60 cm long and 30 cm wide. It is equally effective as a attention getting palm in the garden or as a container plant. It is widely cultivated and usually easy to find in the specialty nurseries. This species flowers in late spring, with a branched inflorescences emerging, densely covered with yellow and bright orange flowers. The round fruits turn black when ripe.