Trees, 7-13 m tall. Stems simple or branched at apex; aerial roots present. Leaves clustered at apex of stem; blade linear, 1-4.2 m × 2-11 cm, leathery, abaxially sparsely spinose along midrib, margin densely serrate with incurved spines, apex incurved, flagelliform and triangular caudate. Male inflorescences consisting of several spikes; spikes golden yellow, terete, 10-15 cm; spathes ca. 1 m × 10 cm; male flowers numerous; stamens 3-14 per bundle, aggregated at apex of stalked filaments; anthers linear, ca. 5 mm, apex of connective with long, curved, aristiform cusp. Female inflorescence pendulous on peduncle, capitate, to 80 × 3 cm, with ca. 15 spathes; female flowers with 1 carpel, rarely 2; stigma bifurcate and curved. Fruit solitary or in racemes, reddish brown or orange-red, cylindric to ellipsoid, to 23 × 12 cm; drupes connate, obconic-pyramidal; exocarp fleshy, sweet; styles bony, spiny, projected part of apex pyramidal, 1-or 2-locular; persistent stigma 2-or 3-furcate. Fl. Aug.
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