The origin of this species is located in Southwest Asia and North Africa, and it is a dioecious palm that can reach 30m in height and can produce multiple trunks. Its leaves are pinnate, grayish-green/glaucous in color, with rigid and spiky leaflets.

It withstands temperatures down to -10ºC, although it may suffer damage below 0ºC, and it requires high temperatures, being able to endure up to 45ºC.

It needs regular watering, though not excessively, and is drought-resistant.

It blooms in spring, between April and June, in branched inflorescences that develop among the leaves. Being dioecious, pollination by wind, pollinating insects, or manual pollination is necessary to produce a harvest.

The fruits mature in autumn/winter and do so in a staggered manner.