This species is a clustering palm that is native to the back water rivers of Amazon.  It forms multiple slender trunks that grow tightly together in dense groups. The stems are clothed in a persistent mat of coarse, fibrous material that gives the palm a rugged appearance, with leaves emerging from the top of each stem. Its crown is made up of arching pinnate leaves with stiff, dark green leaflets that are well-spaced along the rachis, creating a bold, upright display. Inflorescences appear between the leaves, producing branched clusters of cream-colored flowers, which are followed by ovoid brown to black fruits. This palm is especially notable as the source of piassaba fiber, long and tough bristles that are harvested for making durable brooms and brushes.