Native to central and eastern China, it is a dioecious palm with medium growth, characterized by having a single trunk up to 12m tall and fan-shaped leaves up to 1.20m in diameter.

It is one of the most cold and snow-resistant palms, able to withstand -18ºC, although it also tolerates very high temperatures around 45ºC.

It requires balanced watering, avoiding waterlogging and excessive drying.

It blooms in spring with clusters (inflorescences), greenish in female plants and creamy yellow in male plants.

It bears fruit in autumn, and its fruits are not edible.