This is a rare, clustering fan palm endemic to humid forests growing on rugged limestone formations. Slender stems emerge in clumps, supporting an open crown of elegant costapalmate leaves divided into numerous narrow, evenly spaced segments. The petioles are lightly armed with small recurved teeth near their bases, while the inflorescences are produced among the leaves and mature into small, nearly spherical white to cream-colored fruits. Its refined habit and adaptation to limestone landscapes distinguish it from many other Asian fan palms.  The name calciphila comes from the Latin calx (limestone) and philos (loving), reflecting the species' remarkable adaptation to Vietnam's limestone karst ecosystems. These ancient limestone formations are recognized as biodiversity hotspots, harboring many plant species found nowhere else on Earth.