It is a monocotyledonous, angiosperm and non-branched plant. It can reach 4m tall, and is very commonly planted in Hong Kong.
Its leaves have parallel venation, and are arranged like feathers. Leaves are slightly arched and grow from the top of the tree. Each small leaf is about 25-30cm long and shaped like a narrow sword. Old leaves will still stay on the tree until you cut them off.
It blooms in early summer with unisexual flowers; both male and female flowers are small and yellow in colour. The fruits are oval shaped and about 2cm long. They are green when young and dark red (even black) when mature.
