This species is native to a number of coastal regions across the Amazon basin.  It can be found naturally occuring in flooded coastal areas near rivers and streams.  It is a tall, clustering, sometimes solitary palm with a slender gray trunk rigned with old leaf scars, sometimes with a cone of red roots at the base.  It has a bluish green crownshaft.  The crown has arching, feather shaped fronds which can grow up to 3m long.  The oval shaped fruit turns purple-black when fully ripe.  It is cultivated for its fruit (açaí) which is an important commercial crop for the region. Global demand for the fruit has expanded in recent years.