This is a clustering, understory palm that forms dense groups of short, often nearly trunkless stems armed with characteristic dark spines that help protect the plant as it spreads. It has a compact crown of elegant pinnate leaves with narrow, deep green leaflets that create a refined, tropical appearance despite its defensive armament. The petioles and leaf sheaths are heavily armed, giving the palm a dramatic texture and making it one of the more visually distinctive members of the genus. Its inflorescences emerge low among the stems and foliage and, as suggested by the species name multiflora, tend to carry numerous small flowers. The oval fruit is scaly and turns brown as it ripens. This species remains uncommon in cultivation and is still rarely encountered outside specialty palm collections.