Solitary or clustering robust climbing rattan palm to 7m. Yellow-green leaf sheath with large black thorns to 50mm long, leaves to 4m with black spines to 50mm, cirrus to 1.5m armed with grapnel-like spines, papery leaflets to 600mm x 20mm with scattered reddish bristles on lower surface & margins. Male inflorescence to 500mm long armed with bulbous-based spines to 20mm long & a woody bract to 480mm x 40mm. Pendulous infructescence to 1m long armed with spines & leathery bracts 300mm x 20mm. Fruit 150mm x 100mm with 9 vertical rows of yellowish-cream scales, fruit matures red.