This is a solitary, trunkless understory palm that remains low to the ground, with its stem typically hidden beneath the soil surface. Its most striking feature is the enormous undivided leaves, which are long, lance-shaped, and dramatically pleated, often forming a graceful fountain of deep green foliage radiating directly from the forest floor. The leaves are leathery and rigid with prominent ribbing, giving the species a bold prehistoric appearance unlike nearly any other palm in cultivation. The inflorescences emerge at ground level between the leaves and produce creamy white flowers that are pollinated close to the forest floor in the humid rainforest understory. Its fruits are rounded and covered with a textured surface that matures from green to brown as they ripen. Although admired by collectors worldwide, this species remains uncommon in cultivation due to its slow growth, intolerance of cold, and difficulty adapting to dry conditions outside tropical environments.  The genus Johannesteijsmannia was named in honor of Dutch botanist Johannes Elias Teijsmann, who played a major role in botanical exploration throughout Southeast Asia during the 19th century.