It is the only palm native to Europe, with multiple spreading trunks of variable height, covered by brown fibers and fallen petioles, and surrounded at the base by a shrub. The leaves are fan-shaped, light green on top, glaucous underneath, attached to green spiny petioles with red hues. It blooms from spring to summer, with yellow flowers grouped in catkins. The fruits are oval brown berries, present only on female plants. It grows in all well-drained soils, is resistant to sea exposure, and can also grow in pots and planters.