The most geographically isolated member of the genus, it is considered a critically endangered species and has been called one of the rarest palms in the Americas.

Joel Timyan and Samuel Reep considered courtyard gardens to have the highest potential for survival and regeneration.

Its small population size and extreme isolation from other members of the genus make A. crassispatha scientifically interesting.

Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius used Plumier's notes and drawings to give the species a formal Linnaean description in 1884 placing it in the genus Maximiliana.

[5] The seeds of Attalea crassispatha are edible; the flavour is reported to be similar to that of coconut, but it is richer in fats and denser.

The leaves are used for thatch and weaving, but only when the more common fan palms Sabal causiarum and Coccothrinax argentea are unavailable.

It is also used as a source of lumber and as a boundary marker between farmers' fields due to its longevity and ability to survive hurricanes.

[5] As of 2018[update], Attalea crassispatha was considered a critically endangered species with an estimated population of fewer than 50 mature individuals.

[4] Efforts are underway to conserve the species by planting seedlings both in Haiti and elsewhere; in 1991 seeds were distributed to botanic gardens in 12 countries.