Small tree, trunk straight or bent, covered with persistent, rough, leaf scars; leaves large, arching, glabrous, grayish-green, leaflets numerous, densely fascicled, linear-ensiform, canaliculated, spinous-pointed; petioles compressed towards the apex, bearing a few short spines at the base; flowers numerous in interpetiolar, erect or drooping spadix; spathes woody, angular, numerous towards apex of peduncle; male flowers white, scented; calyx cupular, 3-toothed; petals-3, obliquely ovate, valvate; stamens-6, (sometimes 3 or 9) filaments subulate, anthers erect, dorsifixed; pistallode minute; female flowers globose, distinct; sepals cup shaped, 3-toothed; petals-3, broad, orbicular, imbricate; staminodes-6; carpels-3, free; ovary uncinate, ovule erect; drupes orange to reddish brown, oblong; seeds pale brown, grooved on one face.