Slow growing palm-like tree forming a trunk of 3 m., usually solitary, sometimes branched, topped by a crown of stiff, feathery pinnate fronds to 1-2 m. long, rolled down at margins.
This family is more closely related to the conifers than to either the ferns or the palms, although there are superficial resemblances. It is a relic of very ancient worldwide vegetation two hundred million years ago. Fossils of it are found in the coal measures of northern Europe and America.
The plants are unisexual. The male inflorescence has a cone-like structure to half a metre long, coloured orange and shedding its pollen when ripe as an orange dust. The female produces round, nut-like seeds.