Solitary or small clump-forming palms, stem annulate, slender, smooth, unarmed, 0.5-25 cm in diameter. Leaves pinnate, pinnae mostly narrow, often with 2 or more principal ribs, long acuminate, rather short stiff. Base of leaf stalk usually forming a prominent shining swollen crown shaft. Leaflets thin, often confluent. Inflorescence much branched, borne at the base of the crown shaft. Female flowers in triads at the base of the rachillae, male flowers small, variously arranged on the upper part of rachillae; sepals small; petals much large, obliquely lanceolate, valvate; stamens 3-6 (-12-24) or more; anthers basifixed, erect; female flowers on the base of the rachillae larger than the male, sepals and petals imbricate, petals acute; ovary one-chambered, stigmas 3, very short; ovule one, basal, erect. Fruit ovoid or oblong, exocarp fleshy, fibrous. Seeds with truncate base, embryo basilar.