It is the only palm native to Europe. It has multiple branching trunks of varying height, covered with brown fibers and fallen petioles, and is surrounded at the base by a bushy clump. The leaves are fan-shaped, light green on the upper side and bluish underneath, attached to spiny green petioles with reddish hues. It blooms from spring to summer, producing yellow flowers grouped in catkins. The fruits are oval, brown berries, found only on female plants. It grows in all well-drained soils, is resistant to sea air, and can also thrive in pots and planters.