Perennial, tall, unarmed tree; stem erect, stout, unbranched; leaves large, pinnate in terminal crowns, leaflets, numerous, large, glabrous, with main nerves-2, upper leaflets linear-lanceolate, base narrow; inflorescence spadix, several in the axils of fallen leaves, rachis stout, compressed, much branched with filiform tips bearing more or less distichous male flowers, female flowers much larger, solitary at the base of axils of branches; spikes flexuasus or straight, boat-shaped, coriaceous; male flowers minute; sepals very small, ovate or triangular, obtuse; petals subsimilar, obliquely lanceolate; stamens 3 or 6, anthers basifixed, erect; in female flowers: perianth persistent, segments-3+3; sepals and petals ovate or orbicular, tips acute, imbricate, sessile, basally connate, orange or scarlet; staminodes-6, connate; ovary 1-celled, ovule solitary, basal, erect, stigmas-3, terminal, sessile; fruit ovoid or oblong, drupe or hard, 1-seeded berry, supported by persistent perianth; seed with truncate base.