Stems clustered, rhizomatous, forming colonies, to 2.5 m tall, to 2.5 cm in diam., covered with persistent, fibrous leaf sheaths. Leaf sheaths with coarse, black or brown fibers producing a diagonal mesh; ligules persistent; blades not split to base, divided into 14-23 linear segments, these with curved sides and ± pointed apices, to 45 × 2 cm. Inflorescences borne among leaves, branched to 3 orders; bracts tubular, sheathing; rachis to 56 cm; rachillae 3.5-10 cm, hairy; male flowers not seen; female flowers to 4.5 mm. Fruits developing from 1 carpel, yellow, globose, to 0.8 cm in diam., borne on ca. 5 mm stalks.

This species is planted as an ornamental.

● Lowland and montane forests on rocky slopes; below 1500 m. Guangxi, E Yunnan [?Vietnam].