Climbing palm to 5m. Stem sheaths armed. Leaves to 1m long with spiny sheaths , spines to 41mm x 2mm, leaf spines to 8mm long. 18-22 leaflets each side, leaflets to 215mm x 30mm, cirrus to 1m long with cklaw-like spines. Staminate inflorescence to 470mm long, male flowers to 5mm long, calyx 1mm x 1.5mm. Infructescence to 160mm long, reddish-brown fruit 20mm x 12mm.
Handicrafts, edible shoots