Only grows in very wet areas (swamps and waterways), preferring brackish water in the Cape York Peninsula area.
Looks like a stunted coconut tree, growing 5-8 metres. Produces a large nut. Each nut is made up of a number of wedge-shaped seeds and each seed contains an edible white kernel.
By tapping the curved stem of the flower cluster shortly after it blooms a sweet sap can harvested.
The kernels are sweet.
The fronds were used for thatching and shelter construction.