Tree to 13 m high, with numerous sharp wart-like outgrowths; dioceous. Prop roots to 3–5 (–7) m long. Leaves strap-shaped, 1–1.5 m long, 3–5 cm wide, very long pointed, deeply grooved above, sharply spinulose on margins and midrib beneath. Male inflorescences terminal, 30–50 cm long, with white spathaceous bracts. Female inflorescences terminal, in compound spheroidal heads. Fruit a cluster of compound fruits with walls fused together, (spheroidal to) ellipsoidal to obloid-ellipsoidal, to c. 20 cm long and 15 cm wide, reddish green (often red when ripe); phalanges slightly obconoid, 5 cm long, 4 cm wide, each surmounted by 4 or 5 conical remains of carpel apices; walls hard and fibrous.
Common and locally frequent (forming a monoculture in some areas) from lowlands to about 400 m altitude; mainly in wet areas, especially along watercourses (found along creeks, in gullies and soaks).
The leaves are gathered, dried and used to weave baskets (Hutton 1986: 115). The leaves are used in local craft cottage industry to make baskets for local use and the tourist trade (Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) 2007: Appendices 195).
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