This is a clustering palm that forms graceful groups of slender to moderately thick trunks, creating a refined and elegant presence. 
Each stem is topped with a true crownshaft, often soft green with muted orange or brown tones. The crown holds a light, airy canopy of arching, feather-like leaves, with neatly arranged leaflets that give the palm a tidy, composed look.  Flower stalks emerge from just below the crownshaft, branching into compact clusters that sit neatly among the leaves rather than hanging far below the crown. After flowering, small rounded fruits develop and ripen to a deep purplish-black.  The species name bakeri honors John Gilbert Baker, a British botanist associated with Kew Gardens, recognizing his contributions to botanical science during the late nineteenth century.