Native to Southeast Asia, this is a clustering species with upright, slender stems, often covered with the remnants of former leaf fibers. The leaves are fan shaped, split, with a midrib that extends into the blades, with toothed leaftips. The thin petioles have spines along the margins, hence the common name. The inflorescence emerges from the leaves, is branched into two orders and has drooping spikes and cream-colored flowers. The small round fruit turns red when ripe.