Looping climbing palm to 40m+, spiny on upper surface of leaves, clawed beneath, leaves to 4m long with cirrus 2m long, about 25 leaflets per side to 400mm x 65mm with black spines 3mm long. Leaf sheaths armed with black spines to 15mm x 1mm. Axillary inflorescence to about 1m long, spathe with a few spines along edges, flowers yellowish-green. Male rachillae to 40mm x 1.5mm, female rachillae to 120mm x 3mm. Axillary inflorescence to 1.5m long, flower spikes to 75mm long with green spathes with hooked spines. mature fruit 10mm diameter tipped with beak 1mm x 1mm.