Trachycarpus argyratus S. K. Lee & F. N. Wei, Guihaia 2: 131. 1982.

Stems clustered, to 0.5 m tall, 3-5 cm in diam., erect or creeping, densely covered with persistent leaf bases. Leaf sheath fibers dark brown, stiff, erect, separating and becoming spinelike; petioles to 1 m, smooth along margins; blades to 1 m wide, divided for up to 3/4 their length into 14-34 segments, these to 50 × 5 cm, densely silvery white abaxially. Inflorescences interfoliar, to 0.8 m, with 2-5 partial inflorescences; rachillae many, to 50 cm; flowers unisexual; male flowers to 1.5 mm, with 6 stamens; female flowers to 1.5 mm. Fruits bluish black, almost globose, to 0.6 cm in diam.

Seasonal forests on steep slopes of karst limestone hills; below 1000 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou [Vietnam].