This species is a clustering palm with slender, cane-like trunks.  They are often obscured by persistent leaf sheaths and a soft crown of foliage.  It features a prominent maroon crownshaft that contrasts beautifully with the green leaves and adds a splash of color to the plant’s compact frame.  The palm’s crown is composed of gracefully arching, pinnate leaves with narrow, slightly drooping leaflets that are dark green above and lighter below; the short petioles are smooth and unarmed.  Its inflorescences emerge just below the crownshaft and are branched, bearing small cream-colored flowers.  The fruits are oval to round, ripening from green to bright red, and are often produced in clusters that add further ornamental appeal.  This species is exceptionally rare in cultivation and is typically found only in high-humidity specialty collections or tropical greenhouses.