Climbing clustering palm to 44m, stem sheaths with dense fine spines. Imparipinnate leaves to 5m including cirrus to 2m, thorny leaf sheath, brown spines to 70mm long. 65-82 leaflets per side. Inflorescence to 1.5m. Reddish flowers. Fruit to 10mm x 6mm, ripening white.
Used for tying in house-building, seeds chewed