The palmetto is a shrubby palm that can sometimes reach the size of a sapling up to 4 m high. Naturally, the trunk is covered by old dry leaves (marcescent) or their remains. The leaves resemble fans, as they are simple, persistent, palmate and very large. The flowers are borne on floriferous branches between the leaves, protected by a modified leaf or cylindrical spathe, wider in the central area and which opens at maturity.