Solitary feather-leafed palm to 20 m tall, 25-38 cm diameter. Crown shaft and leaf bases covered with deep orange-brown to reddish brown velvety hairs. Leaves 3.6 m long, with regularly arranged leaflets. Inflorescence just below crown shaft, much branched, to c. 60 cm long. Fruits globose c. 2 cm across, ripening creamy yellow.