The Ruffled Fan Palm is a native of Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands in the south Pacific where this small-statured palm occupies an understory niche in the sandy island soils. The glossy green leaves of this tree are shaped like large pleated fans with deeply-cut edges and bunches of bright red berries are suspended from the branches.

The ruffled fan palm is a very slow-growing tree but can reach heights of up to fifteen feet , although ten feet is more typical. At full size the leaves form a pyramidal shape that is about six feet wide. As an understory plant it prefers bright shade and consistently moist humusy sandy soil. It will not withstand temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and must be overwintered in a warm location that is not drafty.