This is the smallest species of its genus. It grows on mountain slopes and medium altitude. It is a miniature palm with a mostly subterranean trunk, that rarely appears above ground. Fronds can have a bluish tone when mature. When in bloom, the inflorescence is upright to keep them off the ground. Fruit is kidney shaped and turns black when fully ripe. In the wild, this species is threatened with extinction, as the flowers are often consumed by goats before blooming. Fortunately, this species has become more common in cultivation recently.