This is a clustering palm that forms dense stands of slender, upright trunks, each armed with dark, fibrous spines that give the plant a rugged, defensive appearance. There is no crownshaft, and the stems often emerge in tight groups, creating a thicket-like structure in its native habitat. The crown consists of fan-shaped (palmate) leaves that are deeply divided and held in a somewhat irregular, slightly drooping arrangement, often giving the palm a wild, untamed look. Its inflorescences emerge among the leaves and are relatively modest, producing small flowers that are typical of the genus. The fruit is small, rounded, and covered in overlapping scales, maturing to shades of brown and resembling miniature versions of its larger relative, Mauritia flexuosa. This species is still quite uncommon in cultivation, largely due to its preference for swampy, waterlogged environments that are difficult to replicate in typical garden settings.