This is a solitary palm native to the shaded understory of lowland rainforests. It has slender trunk topped by a vibrant crownshaft, which can range from deep orange or reddish-brown to golden depending on the individual or cultivar.  It has a crown of elegantly arching pinnate leaves. The leaflets are glossy dark green above and paler beneath, with a graceful arrangement that gives the palm a delicate, feathery look in the landscape. Inflorescences appear below the crownshaft, bearing small cream to yellow flowers that give way to striking fruits—starting pale and ripening into vibrant shades of red or orange. The specific epithet caesia refers to the bluish-gray bloom that may be seen on parts of the fruit or stem, a subtle but distinguishing feature.