This palm is solitary, forming a slim, upright stem that is often covered in old leaf bases when young, later revealing a smooth trunk. The crown is made of broad, circular, pleated leaves that are deeply divided into stiff, wedge-shaped segments with finely toothed or ragged edges, giving them a dramatic, ornamental look. Inflorescences develop among the leaves and produce small flowers that give way to round fruits, which typically ripen to shades of red or orange. Because it is rarely seen outside its native habitat, this species is considered very uncommon in cultivation, adding to its allure for collectors.