This is an extremely rare palm which is native to the Pentecost Island in the Vanuatu archipelago. It is a solitary palm with a smooth, gray trunk topped with a thick, green crownshaft. Its leafy crown holds 12-15 flat, dark green leaves with broad, linear leaflets. The inflorescences are large, and the oval fruits become red when fully ripe. In cultivation, it has gained enormous popularity over the last 20 years, especially in hot, humid tropical and warm areas. This species is considered 'threatened' due to the expansion of cultivated land. In local folklore, this species was reputed to pass on a deadly stomach illness to anyone that touched it, hence it's common name.