This plant can reach 30 m, although its trunk is thin, 20-50 cm in diameter, and often with shoots from its stock. covered with the bases of the old leaves and then remain their scars, when they have already fallen off. The leaves are persistent, leathery, arched, very large and come out in a tuft from the crown as a hair. There are male specimens, which produce pollen, and female specimens, which after fertilization form the fruits (dates) that are born in clusters at the base of the leaves.